LAPORTE — A Valparaiso man died late Saturday afternoon after crashing his motorcycle while taking part in a ride with a large number of other bikes, police said.
Robert Shepard, 60, was thrown from his motorcycle after striking another bike that had crashed in front of him, according to LaPorte County police.
Coming Sunday, see a day in the life of Michigan City Police Officer Brian Wright.
The crash occurred shortly after 4 p.m. while the group was slowing to turn from southbound County Road 400 West to westbound County Road 1000 South, police said. Shepard was riding as part of a group of 60 motorcycles.
A 61-year-old Hobart man crashed his motorcycle in front of Shepard, according to police. Both drivers were ejected from their motorcycles and suffered upper body injuries.
While the state of Indiana is opting to downgrade its face mask requirement, the regional South Shore Line says it is continuing to mandate masks for passengers and employees.
The Hobart man was taken to an area hospital for treatment along with Shepard, who died while en route, police said.
Toxicology test results are pending and police say the investigation is ongoing.
Gallery: Recent arrests booked into LaPorte County Jail
Andrew Eckwood
Age:Â 51
Residence:Â Michigan City
Arrest Date:Â April 9, 2021
Offense Description:Â Dealing in cocaine
Class:Â Felony
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Angela Gaines
Age:Â 27
Residence:Â Akron, Ohio
Arrest Date:Â April 6, 2021
Offense Description:Â Possession of cocaine; possession of methamphetamine
Class:Â Felonies
Arresting Agency: LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Angela Lane
Age:Â 34
Residence:Â LaPorte
Arrest Date:Â April 5, 2021
Offense Description:Â Domestic battery
Class:Â Felony
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte Police Department
Blake Brown
Age:Â 28
Residence:Â LaPorte
Arrest Date:Â April 6, 2021
Offense Description:Â Possession of a narcotic drug; possession of methamphetamine
Class:Â Felonies
Arresting Agency:Â Michigan City Police Department
Cameron Hollins
Age:Â 34
Residence:Â LaPorte
Arrest Date:Â April 9, 2021
Offense Description:Â Dealing in cocaine
Class:Â Felony
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Demetrius Benjamin-Morris
Age:Â 26
Residence:Â Pittsburgh, PA
Arrest Date:Â April 10, 2021
Offense Description:Â OWI
Class:Â Misdemeanor
Arresting Agency:Â Other
Emmanuel Ukonga
Age:Â 26
Residence:Â N/A
Arrest Date:Â April 10, 2021
Offense Description:Â Possession of methamphetamine
Class:Â Felony
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Jerry Rust
Age:Â 35
Residence:Â LaPorte
Arrest Date:Â April 7, 2021
Offense Description:Â Child exploitation; voyeurism; possession of child pornography
Class:Â Felonies
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Kyle Pace
Age:Â 38
Residence:Â LaPorte
Arrest Date:Â April 10, 2021
Offense Description:Â Domestic battery
Class:Â Misdemeanor
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Marques Holmes
Age:Â 20
Residence:Â Michigan City
Arrest Date:Â April 7, 2021
Offense Description:Â Battery by means of a deadly weapon; criminal recklessness
Class:Â Felonies
Arresting Agency:Â Michigan City Police Department
Melissa Faulkner
Age:Â 38
Residence:Â LaPorte
Arrest Date:Â April 11, 2021
Offense Description:Â OWI
Class:Â Felony
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Mykl Cheffer
Age:Â 22
Residence:Â LaPorte
Arrest Date:Â April 7, 2021
Offense Description:Â Domestic battery; possession of methamphetamine
Class:Â Felonies
Arresting Agency:Â Indiana State Police
Paul Hargrove
Age:Â 37
Residence:Â Aimsworth, NE
Arrest Date:Â April 6, 2021
Offense Description:Â Possession of cocaine; possession of methamphetamine; possession of marijuana
Class:Â Felonies
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Sergio Adams
Age:Â 31
Residence:Â Michigan City
Arrest Date:Â April 9, 2021
Offense Description:Â Intimidation
Class:Â Felony
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Stanley Croff III
Age:Â 48
Residence:Â LaPorte
Arrest Date:Â April 8, 2021
Offense Description:Â Failure to appear
Class:Â Felony
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Tim Rasmussen
Age:Â 61
Residence:Â Chicago
Arrest Date:Â April 12, 2021
Offense Description:Â Strangulation; domestic battery
Class:Â Felony; misdemeanor
Arresting Agency:Â Long Beach Police Department
Travis Pahs Sr.
Age:Â 35
Residence:Â Michigan City
Arrest Date:Â April 7, 2021
Offense Description:Â Domestic battery
Class:Â Misdemeanor
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Tyler McCallister
Age:Â 18
Residence:Â LaPorte
Arrest Date:Â April 7, 2021
Offense Description:Â Failure to register as a sex or violent offender
Class:Â Felony
Arresting Agency:Â LaPorte County Sheriff's Office
Tyler Nourse
Age:Â 20
Residence:Â Michigan City
Arrest Date:Â April 11, 2021
Offense Description:Â Failure to appear
Class:Â Felony
Arresting Agency:Â Michigan City Police Department
Yvette Conner
Age:Â 50
Residence:Â Michigan City
Arrest Date:Â April 6, 2021
Offense Description:Â Escape
Class:Â Felony
Arresting Agency:Â Other
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Bob Kasarda
Porter/LaPorte County Courts and Social Justice Reporter
Bob is a 23-year veteran of The Times. He covers county government and courts in Porter County, federal courts, police news and regional issues. He also created the Vegan in the Region blog, is an Indiana University grad and lifelong region resident.
