Texting motorcyclist dies after I-65 crash

Correction: An earlier version of this story contained an incorrect spelling of the victim's name supplied by police.

Brandon R. McClain, 43, Indianapolis, was texting while riding his motorcycle southbound in the left lane of Interstate 65 around 3:45 p.m. Thursday, Indiana State Police said. It cost him his life.

McClain’s bike drove into the grassy median about six miles south of the Ind. 28 exit, police said. He lost control of the motorcycle when he over-corrected as he tried to get back onto the interstate.

McClain, who was not wearing a helmet, was airlifted to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis, where he later died, police said.

Sgt. Kim Riley of the Indiana State Police said on Friday he could not disclose how officers know McClain was texting.

"The investigation is still ongoing, and I can't go into how we knew he was texting or was in the process of texting," Riley said.

Southbound and northbound I-65 lanes between mile markers 150 and 155 were closed Thursday while a helicopter landed to airlift McClain to Indianapolis.

The southbound lanes were nearly at a standstill for about 90 minutes because of a traffic accident about six miles south of the Ind. 28 exit, Indiana State Police confirmed.

The southbound flow returned to normal around 5:20 p.m.

The accident remains under investigation, police said.

Meanwhile, police also confirmed there was a second accident in the northbound lanes at the 151 mile marker. This accident was not serious.