A Valparaiso man died Thursday night in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 94 involving two motorcycles and a passenger car, police said.
Around 8:11 p.m. Thursday, troopers with the Indiana State Police Lowell Post responded to the wreck on westbound I-94 near the 27.9 mile- marker, about two miles east of the Chesterton exit, according to a release from Sgt. Glen Fifield, public information officer for the Lowell Post.
The Indiana State Police Area I Crash Reconstruction Team conducted the investigation, and preliminary information revealed that two motorcycles were traveling westbound on I-94 from the Michigan City area at an extremely high rate of speed, police said. As a result of the crash, one motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene, identified as Matthew Lowenthal, 19, of Valparaiso. Notification to the family was made on scene.
The second motorcyclist, Luke Tilford, sustained serious injuries after he was struck by another unknown passing vehicle. Tilford had pulled his motorcycle onto the shoulder and was dismounting when the collision occurred, police said. It is possible the passing vehicle was attempting to avoid the initial crash and may not have realized they struck the motorcyclist on the shoulder. Tilford was transported for emergency treatment of serious injuries.
More Top Picks Best Monitor Stands For Eye Level
The driver of the passenger car, a 2024 Tesla, did not report any injuries.
The Indiana State Police Lowell Post is requesting assistance from the public. Anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have video footage of the incident is asked to contact the Indiana State Police Lowell Post at 219-696‑6242 and leave a message for Trooper Hathaway.
The investigation is ongoing and additional information is not immediately available, police said.