LaPorte County — A fatal motorcycle crash on April 12 at about 7:00 p.m. at the intersection of Franklin Street and Westwind Drive has led to an arrest and multiple criminal charges. The case is being handled following an investigation by local authorities and the LaPorte County E-911 Regional Dispatch Center.
The victim was identified as 23-year-old Matthew Castellanos of La Crosse, Indiana. He was riding his motorcycle southbound on Franklin Street near Westwind Drive when the incident occurred. What started as a normal evening ride ended in a sudden and violent collision.
According to investigators, a van driven by 45-year-old Keith Starnes of Michigan City attempted a left turn westbound onto Westwind Drive. Authorities say the van turned directly into the path of the motorcycle. The front of the motorcycle struck the right side of the van.
Emergency crews from Uniform Patrol Shift 2 and the Traffic Division arrived quickly after the crash. Castellanos was found with life-threatening injuries at the scene. LaPorte County EMS transported him to Franciscan Health Hospital in Michigan City.
Despite medical efforts, Castellanos later died from his injuries at the hospital. Officials also confirmed that he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, a detail noted during the preliminary investigation.
Following the collision, Starnes was taken to Northwest Health Hospital in LaPorte for a chemical test as required in serious injury and fatal crash cases under Indiana law. Toxicology results for both drivers have not yet been released.
After reviewing the evidence, authorities arrested Starnes and filed multiple charges. These include reckless homicide as a Level 5 felony, operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing endangerment as an A misdemeanor, and operating while intoxicated per se as a C misdemeanor.
A probable cause affidavit was submitted to the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office. A senior judge in Superior Court 1 found sufficient grounds to proceed, and Starnes was issued a $15,000 cash bond. Officials noted that additional charges may still be considered.
The investigation remains active. Police are asking witnesses or anyone with video footage of the crash to come forward as they continue to piece together the full sequence of events.
