(Michigan City, IN) - A suspected drunk driver is accused of causing a collision that claimed the life of a man on a motorcycle in Michigan City.

 

Keith Starnes, 45, of Michigan City was charged Tuesday in La Porte Superior Court 1 with Level 5 felony reckless homicide and Class A misdemeanor operating while intoxicated.

 

Police said Matthew Castellanos, 23, of LaCrosse suffered extensive head trauma. He was pronounced dead after the Sunday night collision at nearby Franciscan Health.

 

According to police, the investigation revealed Starnes turned left into the path of the oncoming motorcycle on Franklin St. just north of Interstate 94.  The motorcycle traveling close to normal speeds ran into the passenger side of Starnes’ mini-van.

 

Police said the results of a portable breathalyzer along with various physical symptoms from Starnes indicated he was highly impaired by alcohol. 

 

He refused to take a certified blood alcohol test, forcing a judge to issue a search warrant for a blood sample that was sent to an Indiana State Police laboratory for analysis.  Additional charges could be filed depending on the blood test results, which could take a few weeks to come in, said La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan.

 

La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said a blood sample will also be taken from the victim during an autopsy, which is standard procedure in any motor vehicle fatality.

 

During an initial court hearing, Starnes was granted a public defender to represent him against the allegations.  A personal background check was also ordered to help the court decide the amount of his bail.