A Rockville, Ind., motorcyclist was killed on Tuesday after the Porter County Sheriff’s Police said that he was struck by a Valparaiso motorist who was driving while intoxicated.

The victim was identified as Howard Schwartz, 61. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

According to police, at 1:43 p.m. David Corbett, 59, of 225 W. U.S. Highway 30 in Center Township, was westbound on C.R. 600S in Pleasant Township when he disregarded the stop sign at the intersection of Ind. 49 and his 1995 Mitsubishi Montero collided with Schwartz, who was northbound on Ind. 49 on a 2003 Harley Davidson.

Corbett advised that he was westbound on C.R. 600S approaching the intersection of Ind. 49,” police said. “He believed the roadway was clear and looked both ways, then continued forward. (Corbett) stated he didn’t see a headlight and was struck by the motorcycle. (Corbett) stated on multiple occasions . . . that he ran the stop sign and the crash was his fault.”

Police said that Corbett showed signs of intoxication, failed several field sobriety tests, and registered a blood alcohol content of .10 percent on a portable breath test. Corbett subsequently consented to a blood draw, two of which were conducted at Porter hospital, one at 3:30 p.m., the second at 4:01 p.m., police said.

Corbett was booked into the Porter County Jail on preliminary charges of operating while intoxicated-causing death and reckless homicide, both Class C felonies punishable by a term of two to eight years.

Corbett was also charged with driving while suspended-prior, police said.

Posted 6/22/2011