Mathew K. Berry, of Merrillville, has been charged in Lake County after Indiana State Police concluded he was responsible for a fatal Interstate 65 crash that claimed the life of an Illinois man and seriously injured the man’s wife.
According to court documents, the three-vehicle crash occurred at approximately 5:50 p.m. on February 14, 2026, on northbound Interstate 65 near the 73rd Avenue overpass in Merrillville. The collision involved a Ford Explorer driven by Berry, a Dodge Ram pickup truck, and a converted Thomas school bus that had been transformed into a private camper while towing a Hyundai Elantra.
The driver of the camper, 60-year-old William Binkley of Waukegan, Illinois, was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife suffered serious bodily injuries, including pelvic and nasal fractures, and was airlifted to the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Investigators said Berry initially told police he had been traveling in the left lane when the Dodge Ram struck the passenger side of his SUV, causing him to strike the concrete median wall before re-entering the roadway and colliding with the bus.
However, according to the probable cause affidavit, investigators determined the physical evidence did not support Berry’s account.
Court documents state investigators conducted an extensive crash reconstruction that included an examination of the vehicles, roadway evidence, electronic crash data, witness statements, toxicology results, and dashboard camera footage provided by a passing motorist.
According to investigators, the evidence showed the bus was traveling in the middle lane and the Dodge Ram was traveling in the left lane when Berry allegedly attempted to pass the Dodge by driving on the inside shoulder. Police allege Berry then attempted to merge back into the left lane, striking the Dodge Ram before losing control of the Ford Explorer.
Investigators allege the Explorer then struck the concrete median wall, re-entered the roadway, and collided with the front-left tire of the bus. The impact allegedly caused the bus to abruptly turn to the right, leave the roadway, and crash into a bridge support pillar.
Court documents state the bus sustained catastrophic damage, including its engine being nearly ejected from the vehicle and its front axle separating from the frame during recovery.
Investigators also recovered electronic crash data from Berry’s Ford Explorer. According to court documents, the data indicated the SUV was traveling approximately 92 mph five seconds before the collision and approximately 79 mph at the time of impact.
Multiple witnesses reportedly described seeing a dark-colored SUV traveling at a high rate of speed immediately before the crash. One witness told investigators the SUV was driving on the inside shoulder before swerving into another vehicle. Another witness provided dashboard camera footage that investigators said was consistent with the physical evidence and crash reconstruction.
According to court documents, toxicology testing detected Delta-9 THC in Berry’s blood. The affidavit states a forensic toxicologist advised investigators that impairment is possible at concentrations significantly lower than the level detected in Berry’s blood sample.
The driver of the Dodge Ram, David K. Rodgers, 48, of Gary, was initially detained following the crash after troopers reported observing signs of impairment and alleged he resisted officers during the investigation. At the time, Rodgers was believed to have been involved in causing the fatal collision. However, after months of crash reconstruction, investigators determined Rodgers was not the proximate cause of the crash and that Berry’s actions led to the fatal chain of events.
Despite being cleared of responsibility for causing the collision, Rodgers has now been formally charged in a separate case stemming from his conduct during the investigation. According to a probable cause affidavit, toxicology testing detected Delta-9 THC in Rodgers’ blood but no alcohol. Investigators allege Rodgers resisted troopers attempting to obtain an implied consent chemical test, resulting in injuries to multiple officers. He has been charged with Level 5 Felony Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Level 6 Felony Battery Against a Public Safety Official, and Class C Misdemeanor Operating a Vehicle with a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance or Its Metabolite in Blood. Court documents state investigators concluded Rodgers’ operation of his vehicle was not the cause of the fatal crash.
Investigators ultimately allege Berry’s excessive speed, driving on the inside shoulder, unsafe lane movement, and aggressive driving caused the fatal crash.
Charges filed against Mathew K. Berry on July 8, 2026:
- Reckless Homicide (Level 5 Felony)
- Criminal Recklessness – Aggressive Driving Resulting in Death (Level 5 Felony)
- Criminal Recklessness – Aggressive Driving Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (Level 6 Felony)
- Reckless Driving Causing Bodily Injury (Class A Misdemeanor)
- Operating a Vehicle with a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance or Its Metabolite in Blood (Class C Misdemeanor)
Charges filed against Mr. Rodger’s on July 8,2026:
Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury — Level 5 Felony
Battery Against a Public Safety Official — Level 6 Felony (2 counts)
Operating a Vehicle with a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance or Its Metabolite in Blood — Class C Misdemeanor
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
