Indiana has had more than six motorcycle fatalities in 2025 so far, a statistic that ABATE of Indiana Inc. called a “tragic start.”
And two of them have occurred in the South Bend area.
Stephen Michael Dunifin, 19, died from his severe injuries March 26 after colliding with a vehicle driving the opposite direction in the 500 block of South Eddy Street near Jefferson Traditional School in South Bend. South Bend Police said Dunifin lost control of his motorcycle and that speed was believed to be a contributing factor in the crash.
In Goshen, Amelia Sneddon, 17, died Feb. 25 after being hit by a driver who failed to yield at the intersection of Indiana 15 and County Road 26. The driver, Jodi Nagle, 46, tested positive for cannabis through an Abbott Sotoxa Oral Fluids test. Nagle, who’s accused of causing death when operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, has a jury trial set for June 16 in Elkhart County.
Also, a male rider was transported to the hospital after a crash at the St. Joseph Valley Parkway and South Ironwood Road on May 6. The South Bend Police Department, which responded to the crash around 8:10 p.m., said the victim had non-life-threatening injuries.
In a joint effort with a national campaign from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun proclaimed May to be Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.
May is the “ideal time to remind motorists to look for motorcyclists,” ABATE of Indiana Executive Director Jay Jackson said in a press release, because more motorcycles are on the streets after the winter months.
Motorcycle awareness tips
Be aware of motorcyclists on the road. Multiple crashes happen when drivers violate a motorcyclist’s right of way, Jackson said. The NHTSA encourages drivers to build awareness by anticipating when riders downshift and weave on the road.
Rider education. Motorcyclists without valid motorcycle licenses were involved in 34% of motorcycle crashes in the U.S. in 2024, the NHTSA said. All states require a motorcycle endorsement in addition to a driver’s license. The NHTSA also recommends motorcyclists complete a motorcycle rider education course for further instruction.
Ride safely. Jackson said most single crashes involving motorcyclists occur when a rider is “exceeding their limits.” The NHTSA tells riders to practice riding in a controlled area and learn to manage driving in different conditions such as inclement weather or encountering slick roads, potholes and road debris. Riders should also wear DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets, the administration said.
Email Tribune staff writer Camille Sarabia at csarabia@gannett.com.
