Attica, Indiana — An 18-year-old motorcyclist who reportedly sped at more than 100 mph and sideswiped a police vehicle died after crashing into a pickup truck late Sunday, according to the Indiana State Police (ISP).
High-Speed Motorcycle Spotted on U.S. Highway 41
ISP said the incident began when a trooper patrolling U.S. Highway 41 noticed a motorcycle racing northbound at over 100 mph in a 55 mph zone. The trooper made a U-turn in an attempt to pull the rider over but quickly lost sight of the speeding motorcycle.
Unable to locate the bike, the trooper alerted other nearby agencies, triggering a wider search across Fountain County.
Attica Police Confront the Motorcyclist
A short time later, two Attica Police Department officers reportedly encountered the same motorcyclist heading southbound on U.S. 41. According to ISP, the rider blew past one officer and then sideswiped the second officer’s patrol vehicle before continuing into the City of Attica.
Despite the collision with the police cruiser, the motorcyclist continued driving at high speed and turned west onto Main Street, ISP said.
Deadly Crash at Main and Perry Streets
The pursuit came to a violent end when the rider failed to stop at the intersection of Main Street and Perry Street. ISP said the motorcyclist crashed into a southbound Chevrolet Silverado, resulting in a devastating impact that ejected the rider from the motorcycle.
Emergency responders transported the motorcyclist to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, as per the reports.
The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado was also hospitalized but is expected to recover, as their injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Victim Identified as Purdue University Student
On Monday night, the Warren County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased motorcyclist as Finan Doyle, an 18-year-old from Indianapolis.
By Tuesday, officials at Purdue University confirmed that Doyle was a first-year student majoring in aeronautical engineering technology.
In a public statement, Purdue said:
“We are saddened any time we experience a student’s death and offer our condolences and support to his family, fellow students, friends and all who are affected.”
Investigation Ongoing
Indiana State Police are continuing to investigate the full sequence of events, including the rider’s excessive speed, the sideswipe collision with the Attica officer’s patrol vehicle, and the final crash that ended in tragedy.
No additional officers or bystanders were injured during the incident. Authorities have not yet released toxicology results or indicated any potential contributing factors beyond reckless speed.
Community Response
Residents in Attica and surrounding areas expressed shock at the series of events, especially the motorcycle reportedly traveling at extreme speeds along a major highway and into town streets. The crash site at Main and Perry Streets remains a reminder of how fast the situation escalated.
Law enforcement officials emphasized the dangers of high-speed motorcycle riding and the risks posed to both the rider and the public.
What’s Your Take?
This crash raises tough questions about high-speed pursuits, public safety, and how quickly reckless driving can turn deadly.
Share your thoughts in the comments — do you think police handled the situation appropriately, or should pursuit protocols be different?
