Friends of biker killed in police chase hold tribute ride

MISHAWAKA, Ind. - Friends of "Indian" Johnny Williams held a tribute bike ride Tuesday night after he was killed in a police chase early Saturday morning.

The St. Joseph County Prosecutor's office reports that Mishawaka police were called to a fight at the Phoenix Bar in Mishawaka a little before one o'clock in the morning Saturday.

Upon arriving, officers discovered that the alleged assailant was a female, who had just hopped on the back of 46-year-old Williams' motorcycle.

Williams took off as police yelled out that they were chasing them.

A pursuit ensued and lasted until Williams crashed his motorcycle right next to the Marathon gas station near AM General off of Jefferson Road in Mishawaka.

Williams died due to his injuries.

His female passenger escaped with non life-threatening injuries.

Tuesday night, his biker community decided to remember how he lived.

“I think that you’re not even seeing a tenth of his friends right now. This street couldn’t hold the amount of people and bikes that loved Johnny Williams," said Johnny's friend since the 70's, Danny West.

West called him a "rolling stone," "shooting star," and independent.

He was a rolling stone. He was a shooting star.”

“You could talk to hundreds of people, and they’ll all call him his best friend, because he was that kind of guy," said West.

"Indian Johnny" was a lone-wolf Harley rider who was happy with his life despite stage four cancer, according to his friend.

“He’d be here for us, and we’re here for him," said West.

He says the local biker community will never be the same.

“That’s what I want everyone to remember him by, the way he lived. He lived a good life," said West.

As per protocol, the Mishawaka police officers on the FACT squad called to investigate recused themselves, but the commander says it shouldn't affect manpower.

Williams' funeral will be held Thursday, May 31 at Palmer Funeral Home in River Park.

The viewing begins at 10 a.m.