A late-night ride through Crown Point ended in tragedy Saturday when a 78-year-old man was fatally struck by a motorcycle at a South Main Street intersection, authorities said.
The collision happened shortly after 10 p.m. at South Main Street and Las Olas Drive. Police said the man was crossing South Main when a northbound motorcyclist hit him. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.
The motorcyclist stayed at the scene and is cooperating with investigators, according to police.
The Lake County Coroner's Office listed the preliminary cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head, according to CBS Chicago. Authorities have not released the victim's name or said whether any charges are expected.
Broader Safety Concerns
Crashes involving motorcycles and pedestrians continue to account for an outsized share of traffic deaths. Nationally, motorcyclists made up about 16% of traffic fatalities in 2024, with more than 6,200 riders killed, according to NHTSA.
Indiana tracks motorcycle and pedestrian fatalities in its highway safety plan and has set targets to reduce those deaths, reflecting a statewide push to cut similar crashes. The details are laid out in Indiana's highway safety plan.
Investigation Continues
Crown Point police say the investigation is ongoing. Detectives are reviewing the crash scene, gathering witness statements and looking for any available video.
The motorcyclist's cooperation and the coroner's preliminary findings will factor into whether any charges are filed, CBS Chicago reports. Authorities said they will release additional information when it becomes available.
