Man Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash on U.S. 20; Semi Driver Charged with Reckless Homicide
PORTAGE — A man was killed Tuesday afternoon following a three-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 20 near Douglas Drive that investigators say was caused by a semi driver, without a CDL, attempting to illegally pass traffic, according to court documents filed Wednesday.
Around 1:25 p.m. on October 15, 2025, Portage police and fire units were dispatched to the intersection of U.S. 20 and Douglas Drive for a serious crash involving a white Freightliner semi-tractor with a refrigerated trailer, a black Subaru, and a white Ram Sprinter van.
Responding Officers arrived to find the Subaru crushed on the driver’s side, the Sprinter van pushed off the roadway and into a business sign for Clean Air Car Check, and the semi jackknifed across both westbound lanes.
The driver of the Subaru was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers confirmed the collision required an extended recovery effort due to the severity of the vehicle damage.
The deceased driver was identified by the Porter County Coroner as 54-year-old, Jeffery S Eberly, of Mishawaka.
Investigators obtained surveillance video from a business located nearby. According to the affidavit, the video shows the eastbound Ram Sprinter van slowing to a stop in traffic. Moments later, the white Freightliner can be seen rapidly approaching from behind. Instead of stopping or changing lanes to the right, which was open, the semi driver moved into the westbound lane, crossing into the opposing lane in an attempt to pass the stopped van.
The video shows the Freightliner striking the black Subaru head-on pushing it north toward Douglas Drive before jackknifing and slamming into the rear of the Sprinter van, which was thrown into roadside signage.
The driver of the semi, Borko Stankovic, 41, told police he owned both the truck and a company called Move RPM Inc. However, officers discovered he was carrying only a regular Illinois driver’s license marked “Federal Limits Apply”—not a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Investigators further found no record of Move RPM Inc. in federal DOT registries and determined Stankovic was not authorized to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
He was read Indiana’s Implied Consent Law for fatal-crash investigations and transported to Northwest Health Portage Hospital for a blood draw.
Detectives concluded that Stankovic operated a commercial truck without proper licensing or authorization and made an illegal, reckless maneuver that caused the fatal collision. Court filings state that his actions showed disregard for training and safety requirements necessary to handle a large vehicle on a 45 mph roadway.
On October 16, 2025, the Porter County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges against Stankovic for:
- Reckless Homicide (Level 5 Felony)
- Criminal Recklessness (Level 5 Felony)
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The investigation involved the Portage Police Department, Indiana State Police Motor Carrier Enforcement Division, and the Porter County Prosecutor’s Office.
