(La Porte, IN) - The people involved in a collision between a car and a motorcycle Wednesday in La Porte have been identified.

 

Brian Essary, 47, of Rolling Prairie was westbound on Lincolnway when an eastbound car driven by Judith Maher, 76, of La Porte turned left into the path of his Honda motorcycle.

 

Maher told investigators she didn’t see the motorcycle when she began turning into the former Family Video parking lot.

 

The collision happened at about 1 p.m.

 

Essary was transported to the nearby Northwest Health facility, and later flown to a trauma center for more specialized care.

 

Essary is employed at Burdine Auto Body at 3494 West Joliet Road in Door Village.

 

Owner Rich Burdine said Essary called him after the collision, and sounded like he was in a lot of pain.

 

“He’s a loyal employee and always helpful to others. Good family guy. Takes care of his kids. There’s nothing I can think of that I don’t like about him,” he said.

 

Essary has been a body repairman at the shop for the past three years.

 

Burdine also said he was informed Essary would need surgery to repair a broken leg.

 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” he said.