Tragic Wrong-Way Collision on I-65 Claims Life; Two Injured Near Merrillville

A tragic collision on Saturday morning claimed the life of one woman and left two others in critical condition in northwest Indiana, as reported by local authorities.

Indiana State Police officers arrived at the scene of the accident on northbound Interstate 65, just north of 61st Avenue near Merrillville, shortly before 2 a.m.

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Officials stated that a 29-year-old woman was driving a silver 2022 Toyota south in the northbound lanes when she collided head-on with a 2016 Ford in the far-left lane.

The driver of the Ford, identified as 20-year-old Rylee Hanson from Hobart, was declared dead at the scene, according to the Indiana State Police.

A female passenger in the Ford sustained severe injuries and was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital for medical attention. Her age remains undisclosed at this time, authorities added.

Local fire personnel extricated the Toyota’s driver before she was airlifted to a hospital in Chicago, where she is in critical condition. Investigators believe she was impaired at the time of the crash.

I-65 was temporarily shut down in both directions. All lanes have since reopened.

No charges have been filed, ISP said, and the investigation is ongoing.

ISP asked anyone with footage of the crash or the vehicles prior to the crash to contact Trooper Somerville at 219-696-6242.