Man dies after motorcycle crashes, catches fire

A man is dead after his motorcycle caught fire when he clipped a semi while speeding in between traffic Tuesday evening.

Indiana State Police troopers were called at 7:10 p.m. on March 21 to a crash along eastbound I80/94 at the 7.3 mile marker, which is between Burr and Grant Streets in Gary, ISP spokesman Sgt. Glenn Fifield said in a release Wednesday.

Preliminary investigation showed that a sport-style motorcycle was speeding eastbound and passing vehicles along the skip line, which is the line that divides the lanes, Fifield said.

The motorcycle driver then hit the rear of a semi, which caused him to crash and the bike catch fire, Fifield said.

Good Samaritans immediately rendered first aid and CPR to the driver, but he died at the scene, Fifield said.

The Lake County Coroner’s office hasn’t released the victim’s name pending the notification of family, he said.

“While legal in other states, the Indiana State Police would like to remind motorcyclists that in Indiana, it is not permissible for a motorcycle to pass other vehicles while riding the skip lines.

“It is not only illegal, but it is extremely dangerous,” Fifield said in the news release.

“Also, with spring’s arrival, that means warmer weather, and drivers will start to see more cyclists out on all of Indiana’s roadways.

“A common safety slogan is, ‘Be aware, motorcycles are everywhere.’ ”

The roadway was reduced to one lane for several hours for crash investigation and scene cleanup.

Assisting at the scene were INDOT, Hoosier Helpers, Gary Fire and Rescue and Double T Towing.