The four-vehicle fatal wreck Friday in Jackson Township in which two motorcyclists died was precipitated by a two-car crash, according to additional details released by the Porter County Sheriff’s Department Monday.

According to a Porter County Coroner’s office release, the motorcyclists have been identified as 73-year-old Richard Dowding and 62-year-old William McCoy, both of Portage.

Deputies with the Porter County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched around 1:47 p.m. May 30 to the intersection of U.S. 6 and White Thorne Lane for a report of a crash involving two motorcycles and two passenger cars, according to a release from Sgt. Ben McFalls, the department’s public information officer.

Officers who arrived at the scene found both motorcyclists had died. Lifesaving measures were attempted but unsuccessful.

According to an initial investigation, a 2023 Audi Q7P was eastbound on U.S. 6 and began to slow while its left turn signal was activated. While slowing down, it was rear-ended by a 2017 Nissan Rogue, McFalls said.

Because of the collision, the Audi entered the westbound lane of traffic and collided with the motorcycles, a 2017 Harley Davidson and a 2002 Harley Davidson.

The Porter County Crash Unit is investigating, McFalls said.

“Please keep the family and friends of the drivers that passed in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,” McFalls said, thanking agencies that assisted at the scene.