Drivers In Thursday’s Fatal Crash IdentifiedWitnesses said the motorcycle involved in Thursday’s fatal two-vehicle accident appeared to be going fast and hit the SUV, but the motorcycle may have had the yellow light to go through the intersection, according to the Warsaw Police Department crash report.
The accident occurred at 3:06 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of North Detroit Street (Ind. 15) and Anchorage Road, Warsaw.
Killed in the crash was Kevin L. Howard, 30, South Maple Run, Warsaw, who was driving a 2019 Harley-Davison FXD.
According to the police report narrative, Barbara S. Horton, 54, Sandra Lane, Winona Lake, the driver of the white 2018 Lexus GX4 involved in the crash, did not remember the crash and reported injuries to her head, back and arms. She had minor bleeding on her face and was taken by EMS to Fort Wayne Lutheran Hospital for medical treatment.
Howard suffered internal and external injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, the report states. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The Kosciusko FACT was dispatched to the scene.
Witness 1 advised he was westbound on Anchorage Road, facing the intersection, and stopped behind another vehicle (witness 2) waiting at the red light. He said he saw the motorcycle traveling northbound “really fast” and slammed into the SUV, causing Howard to leave the motorcycle.
Witness 2 stated she was stopped at the intersection of North Detroit Street and Anchorage Road in the left-turn lane to turn onto North Detroit Street. Witness 2 stated the SUV was traveling south on Detroit and the SUV was in the left-turn lane to turn onto Anchorage Road. The witness stated the SUV proceeded to turn left onto Anchorage Road. The motorcycle was traveling north on Detroit and hit the right side of the SUV. Witness 2 said she did not know whether the SUV or motorcycle had the green light.
A third witness stated he heard the impact of the collision. He said he saw parts of the vehicles flying in his rear-view mirror. He parked his vehicle and ran over to Howard to try to assist him, according to the report.
The fourth witness stated she worked with Howard and they had just got off work and were traveling north on Detroit Street, approaching Anchorage Road. She stated she was traveling at approximately 30 mph and she believed Howard to be traveling faster than 30 mph. The witness saw Howard and his motorcycle were in the intersection when the traffic light was yellow. The witness said when Howard was in the intersection, the SUV was turning east onto Anchorage Road from Detroit Street and that is when both vehicles collided.
The SUV sustained extensive damage to the front-passenger door area where the motorcycle had hit the side of the SUV. All airbags deployed. The SUV also sustained extensive damage to the front driver’s side corner and bumper from hitting the guardrail after the initial crash. The motorcycle sustained extensive damage to its entirety. The frame and wheels were bent and contorted. Both vehicles had to be towed.
