Crime & Safety
La Porte County, IN Fatal Crash: Stolen Motorcycle Hits Semi on US 20 Oct 22
La Porte County, IN – A motorcyclist was killed Thursday morning, October 22, in a head on collision with a semi truck along US Highway 20 in northwest Indiana. Investigators say the motorcycle had be
By Erin Vale · 2026-10-22T19:03:20.474Z
La Porte County, IN – A motorcyclist was killed Thursday morning, October 22, in a head on collision with a semi truck along US Highway 20 in northwest Indiana. Investigators say the motorcycle had been reported stolen in Michigan just one day before the deadly crash.
According to the La Porte County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded around 6:45 a.m. Thursday to the 2300 East block of US Highway 20 in Kankakee Township following reports of a two vehicle crash involving a motorcycle and a semi truck.
Deputy David Francis arrived to find a 2026 Freightliner semi tractor and a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle involved in a head on collision.
Investigators say the Harley Davidson was traveling eastbound on US 20 and operating erratically before crossing the centerline into the path of the westbound Freightliner.
The semi was driven by 41 year old Joseph Muller of Goshen, Indiana.
The motorcycle operator was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet publicly identified the rider.
Investigators also confirmed that the Harley Davidson had been reported stolen through the Coloma Police Department in Michigan on Wednesday, October 21, one day before the fatal collision.
Toxicology test results remain pending as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The sheriff's office has not announced additional findings regarding the motorcycle operator's identity or the circumstances surrounding the reported theft.
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including Indiana State Police Motor Carrier Division, La Porte County EMS, Kankakee Township Volunteer Fire Department, the county coroner's office and the Indiana Department of Transportation.
Anyone with information about the motorcycle operator or the crash is asked to contact Chief of Detectives Capt. Andy Hynek at 219 326 7700, Ext. 2401, or ahynek@lcso.in.gov .
Source: La Porte County Sheriff's Office, October 22, 2026.