(St. Joseph and Starke Counties) - Two motorcycle crashes within hours of each other claimed three lives in areas around LaPorte County.

 

One motorcycle mishap occurred on the Indiana Toll Road Saturday evening just after 7:30 PM.

 

Authorities say a 2006 Harley Davidson driven by a 45-year-old man from Columbus, Ohio, was heading east of LaPorte County near the US 31 exit. State troopers say a rear tire possibly failed, causing the crash. The driver and his female passenger were thrown from the bike. He was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Both east and westbound lanes were closed for a time afterward.

 

Another motorcycle crash claimed two lives south of LaPorte County. It also happened Saturday evening at the intersection of State Road 10 and U.S. 35. That’s just east of North Judson.

 

According to the Starke County Sheriff’s Department, an eastbound pickup truck driver did not make a full stop while turning left onto US 35. As a result, the truck collided with a northbound motorcycle. Both people on the bike were pronounced dead at the scene.

 

No charges were filed; toxicology reports are pending.