Preliminary investigation by Trooper Alissa Partyka revealed at approximately 1:00 a.m., Sunday, October 20, 2019, a 2018 Yamaha motorcycle, driven by Michael Derby, 26 of Dyer, was north bound on I-65 at the 253.6 mile marker, (this is north of the Merrillville-US 30 exit) in the right lane. A 2016 Ford F-150 driven by Tyler L. Hein, 20 of Crown Point, was also north bound on I-65 in the middle lane.
The Yamaha, who was at a high rate of speed over of the posted 65 miles-per-hour speed limit, drifted over into the middle lane and struck the right rear of the F-150, this caused the motorcycle to lose control. Derby struck the guard rail on the right side and came to a final rest on the right shoulder. The Yamaha motorcycle slid across I-65 going northwest and came to rest on the left shoulder approximately 500 feet from the crash scene. Derby was pronounced deceased at the scene by a deputy with the Lake County Coroner’s office.
Hein was not injured.
Family has been notified.
Toxicology results are pending on both drivers which is standard practice on these types of crashes.
Traffic northbound was diverted off at US 30 until approximately 5:30 a.m., for reconstruction of the crash, removal of the motorcycle and deceased.
Assisting: Reconstructionists Kurtis Jones and Paul Arnold, Sergeant Chad Woody, John Landowski, Justin Hansen, Ala’a Hamed, and Jim Brasseur, Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Merrillville Police, Fire and EMS, Lake County Coroner’s office, and Midnight Blue Towing
Picture is of the Yamaha Motorcycle
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.