A motorcyclist died after a police pursuit ended in a crash on State Road 67 near Ridge Lane, just north of Pendleton, on the night of Wednesday, October 28, 2026. WRTV reported[1] that the pursuit began just after 8:40 p.m. WISH-TV also reported[2] that timing, while The Herald Bulletin reported[3] that the crash occurred shortly before 9 p.m.
What happened
According to WRTV, a Greenfield police officer tried to stop the motorcycle for traffic violations near State Street and New Road in Greenfield. The rider fled north on State Road 9 and then onto State Road 67.
Near Ridge Lane, WRTV reported that the motorcycle struck one northbound vehicle and then the rear of a second vehicle. The Herald Bulletin described a single rear impact. The motorcycle landed in a ditch and caught fire, and reports say officers put out the fire.
The rider died at the scene, according to WRTV. The officer and the people in the other vehicles were not hurt. The rider had not been identified in the reporting cited here.
Indiana State Police are investigating the crash. WRTV also reported that the Greenfield Police Department's pursuit review board will conduct an administrative review.
The pursuit began in Greenfield, in Hancock County. WRTV, WISH-TV, The Herald Bulletin, and Hoodline[4] place the fatal crash north of Pendleton in Madison County. One harvest record lists the incident under both counties because the pursuit and crash occurred in different counties.
What this crash tells drivers on State Road 67
Drivers who see emergency lights approaching from behind should slow down, move right when it is safe, and remain alert for vehicles that may not stop. A pursuit can place uninvolved drivers in danger within seconds. Here, reports say the motorcycle struck vehicles traveling northbound on State Road 67.
If you are involved in a motorcycle collision, information about evidence and insurance issues is available from the firm's Fort Wayne motorcycle accident attorney page.
What accident victims should do next
If you are involved in a crash, get checked by a doctor even if you feel fine at the scene. Keep records of treatment, vehicle damage, and missed work. You can also ask Indiana State Police for the crash report number. The firm's guide on what to do after an Indiana traffic accident explains practical steps for preserving information.
Report the crash to your own insurer promptly. Be careful about giving a recorded statement before you understand your options, because insurers may aggressively defend a claim and dispute fault, causation, or damages.
Why location matters in Indiana injury claims
The fatal crash happened on State Road 67 in Madison County, and Indiana State Police are the investigating agency. A civil case would usually be filed in the county where the crash happened or where a defendant lives.
When a government vehicle is involved in a crash, Indiana's Tort Claims Act generally requires written notice within 180 days for a city or another local government under Ind. Code 34-13-3-8. This is general information only. No source cited here has suggested that any agency or officer acted improperly. Indiana divides fault among those involved under Ind. Code 34-51-2-6, and most injury claims must be filed within two years under Ind. Code 34-11-2-4. A police report is not a determination of civil liability.
You can read more about the shorter notice process in the firm's guide to an Indiana government tort claim notice.
How Delventhal Law Office can help
Delventhal Law Office, LLC is a Fort Wayne personal injury law firm founded by attorney Chad E. Delventhal in 2009. The firm helps clients understand Indiana injury claims, preserve evidence, deal with insurers, and identify deadlines that may apply. No outcome can be promised in any case.
If you need advice about your circumstances, you can request a free case evaluation.
This post is based on public reporting, the investigation may be ongoing, and nothing here is legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship.
Update: Identity released, October 31, 2026
The Madison County Coroner has released the identity of the motorcyclist who died, according to an October 30 report from The Herald Bulletin[5]. The new draft does not state the rider's name, so it is not reproduced here.
The Herald Bulletin also reported that the cause of the crash remained undetermined. Indiana State Police were continuing to investigate, and Greenfield's pursuit review board was expected to conduct an administrative review.
The original facts above remain accurate based on the available reporting, and the investigation may still be ongoing.
