FREMONT – Alcohol is suspected to have contributed to a motorcycle accident that injured two Steuben County residents on Friday, August 4.

The Steuben County Sheriff's Office said just before 11:00 p.m. deputies responded to a 9-1-1 call for a motorcycle crash on C.R. 300 N near C.R. 100 E in Steuben County's rural Pleasant Township.

Deputies found a motorcycle on its side off the south side C.R. 300 N along with two injured crash victims.

A preliminary crash investigation indicated that a black 1982 Kawasaki motorcycle driven by 40-year-old Matthew J. Braun of Pleasant Lake was traveling westbound on C.R. 300 N at what appeared to be a high rate of speed.

Braun then lost control of the motorcycle and left the south side of the roadway colliding with a utility box.

Both Braun and his passenger 37-year-old Jessica J. Goodman of Angola were thrown from the motorcycle and injured.

Braun complained of injuries to his lower leg and Goodman sustained a head injury and was rendered unconscious.

Neither Braun nor Goodman were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
Braun was transported to Cameron Hospital by Steuben County EMS in serious but stable condition for treatment of his injuries.

Goodman was flown to Parkview Regional Medical Center by Samaritan helicopter in critical condition.

The sheriff’s office reported the weather was clear and the roadway dry at the time of the crash.

Alcohol was believed to be a factor in the crash.

A subsequent operating while intoxicated investigation was conducted and Braun was booked into the Steuben County Jail in connection with that investigation following treatment of his injuries at the hospital.

Braun also had an unrelated outstanding warrant for his arrest out of Steuben County.

Braun is facing one count of level 5 felony operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury and 2 counts of misdemeanor operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Braun remains held in lieu of a $10,000.00 bond.

The crash remains under investigation by the Steuben County Sheriff's Office.

Assisting the Sheriff's Office at the scene were the Fremont Police, Fremont Fire Department, Steuben County EMS, and the Indiana State Police.