An accident reconstruction team from the Indiana State Police is helping to investigate a fatal crash involving a motorcyclist and a vehicle hauler on Indian Boundary Road in Chesterton Sunday evening.
The motorcycle driver was identified as Dillon Kelly, 33, of Michigan, who was pronounced dead at the scene. A critically injured 25-year-old woman motorcycle passenger from Chesterton was airlifted to an Illinois trauma center, Chesterton Police said.
Police were called at 6:18 p.m. to the intersection of Indiana Boundary Road and Plaza Drive.
Kelly and the woman were ejected from the motorcycle.
Some bystanders were attempting life-saving measures when the Chesterton police and fire departments arrived.
The motorcycle was traveling west on Indian Boundary Road when it collided with a vehicle hauler exiting south off Plaza Drive by the Taco Bell, Police Chief Tim Richardson said.
The vehicle hauler, a truck-trailer combination, is considered a commercial motor vehicle under Indiana Code, so Chesterton Police Sgt. Aaron Miersma decided to bring in the Indiana State Police accident reconstruction team along with the state police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division.
The road was closed for several hours after the crash.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash to contact them at 219-926-1136.
Richardson expressed his gratitude for the many good Samaritans who stopped to render first aid.
“This profound gesture very well may have helped save the life of a fellow citizen in need,” Richardson said
Richardson said no additional information will be released until the fatal crash reconstruction is completed within a few weeks.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
