Keith Allan Starnes, 45, of Michigan City, is facing charges after police say he caused a fatal crash while intoxicated.
According to court documents, on April 12, 2026, at approximately 7:00 PM, officers were dispatched to the intersection of Franklin Street and Westwind for a crash involving a motorcycle and a white minivan. Officers arriving on scene observed major damage to both vehicles, and the driver of the motorcycle was found suffering from “extensive head trauma and bleeding.” The victim was later pronounced deceased at Franciscan Health Michigan City.
A witness told police the motorcycle was traveling southbound on Franklin Street when a white minivan traveling northbound in a left-turn lane turned westbound onto Westwind and “pulled in front of both vehicles,” causing the motorcycle to strike the passenger side of the minivan.
Police identified the driver of the minivan as Starnes, who told officers he was pulling out from a stop sign when the motorcycle “came out of nowhere and hit him,” a statement police said was inconsistent with witness accounts and the scene.
Officers reported Starnes had slurred speech, appeared overly emotional, and emitted a strong odor commonly associated with an alcoholic beverage. Police conducted field sobriety testing and observed signs of impairment. A portable breath test later showed a result of .265 BAC.
Court documents state Starnes refused a certified chemical test, and a search warrant was obtained for a blood draw at a hospital.
Lodged in the Laporte County Jail.
Charges filed April 14,2026:
• Reckless Homicide – Level 5 Felony
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person – Class A Misdemeanor
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Class C Misdemeanor
