Valparaiso Man Arrested Following Serious Motorcycle Crash That Injured Two
Porter County, IN – A Valparaiso man is in custody following a serious crash Saturday afternoon involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck that left two people severely injured, including a juvenile.
On June 28, 2025, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Porter County Sheriff’s Officers responded to the area of State Road 49 and County Road 400 South for a crash with injuries. Upon arrival, officers located the male operator of a 1992 Harley Davidson motorcycle and a juvenile passenger, both suffering from serious injuries. Due to the severity of their conditions, both victims were airlifted from the scene by Lutheran Air for emergency medical treatment.
According to the preliminary investigation, a 2019 Ford F-150 was traveling northbound on SR 49 when it crossed the centerline for unknown reasons and struck the southbound motorcycle. Following the collision, the driver of the pickup truck fled the scene on foot.
The Porter County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit responded and began an investigation into the incident.
UPDATE – June 29, 2025
Authorities announced the arrest of 37-year-old Steven A. Melton of Valparaiso in connection to the crash. Melton was taken into custody at approximately 3:30 p.m. Saturday and now faces multiple charges, including:
- Leaving the Scene of a Crash – Serious Bodily Injury While Intoxicated (Level 3 Felony)
- Operating While Intoxicated – Serious Bodily Injury (Level 5 Felony)
- Operating While Intoxicated – Prior Conviction (Level 6 Felony)
- Operating While Intoxicated – Endangering (A Misdemeanor)
- Operating While Intoxicated (C Misdemeanor)
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident (C Misdemeanor)
Melton is currently being held without bond.
The investigation remains ongoing by Porter County officials.
