Arrest made in deadly Michigan City motorcycle crash
La Porte County Jail: Keith Starnes MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- The Michigan City Police Department reports a 45-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a deadly motorcycle crash on the night of April 12.
Police say a 911 call came in around 7 p.m. that night regarding a crash involving a motorcyclist and a van at the intersection of Franklin Street and Westwind Drive.
Officers arrived to find the motorcyclist, 23-year-old Matthew Castellanos of LaCrosse, suffering from life-threatening injuries.
Castellanos was taken to Franciscan Health Hospital where he died from his injuries.
The driver of the van, Keith Starnes of Michigan City, was arrested for Reckless Homicide, a Level 5 Felony, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Endangerment, a Class A Misdemeanor, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Per Se, a Class C Misdemeanor.
Police say a preliminary investigation determined Castellanos was traveling south on Franklin Street at Westwind Drive.
Authorities say Starnes was traveling north on Franklin Street before attempting to turn west onto Westwind Drive into the path of Castellanos.
Castellanos then crashed into the right side of the van. The report states Castellanos wasn't wearing a helmet at the time.
Starnes was taken to Northwest Health Hospital in La Porte for a chemical test as required by state law when involved in a serious bodily injury or fatal crash.
Toxicology results are pending for Starnes and Castellanos.
Starnes was given a $15,000 cash bond.
Police say additional charges may be filed by the La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office after the investigation has been completed.
