(Porter County, IN) - A Portage man was killed in a motorcycle crash on the Indiana Toll Road early yesterday morning.

According to the Indiana State Police, the accident happened around 4:30 a.m. Thursday on the east side of Portage in the eastbound lanes of the tollway.

Police say Martin Meschede (25) was riding a gray 2024 Yamaha motorcycle when it left the roadway and hit a guardrail. Meschede was thrown about 144 feet and was pronounced dead at the scene. The motorcycle remained upright and travelled another 1,000 feet from where it first hit the guardrail.

Police said speed and alcohol are believed to have been factors in the crash. Eastbound lanes of the tollway were closed until just before 7:00 a.m. Friday morning for an investigation.