A tragic wrong-way collision on Interstate 65 left one young woman dead and two others fighting for their lives early Saturday morning.
Indiana State Police responded to reports of a head-on crash just before 2 a.m. near Merrillville.
The crash occurred in the northbound lanes of I-65, just north of the 61st Avenue exit.
Investigators say a 29-year-old woman was driving a silver 2022 Toyota the wrong way.
She was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when she struck a 2016 Ford head-on.
The impact happened in the far-left lane of the interstate.
The driver of the Ford was killed instantly in the collision.
Authorities identified the deceased victim as 20-year-old Rylee Hanson, a resident of Hobart.
A female passenger in Hanson’s vehicle suffered life-threatening injuries.
Paramedics rushed her to St. Mary’s Hospital for emergency treatment.
Local fire crews had to use heavy equipment to cut the driver of the Toyota out of her car.
Once freed, she was airlifted to a hospital in Chicago.
She remains in critical condition as of Saturday afternoon.
State troopers believe the 29-year-old driver was impaired at the time of the crash.
Recent History
This stretch of I-65 near Merrillville and Hobart has seen a troubling rise in serious accidents over the last year.
Northwest Indiana commuters frequently cite the 61st Avenue interchange as a high-traffic zone prone to confusion.
Last summer, a multi-car pileup just south of this location resulted in several hospitalizations.
Wrong-way driving incidents are a growing concern for Indiana State Police in the Lake County area.
Just months ago, troopers stopped another driver traveling the wrong direction on a nearby highway before an accident could occur.
The Hobart community is now coming together to support the family of Rylee Hanson following this weekend’s tragedy.
Investigation and Call for Evidence
No formal charges have been filed against the surviving driver yet.
The Indiana State Police investigation into the crash remains active.
All lanes of I-65 have since reopened to traffic.
Troopers are asking for help from anyone who may have seen the silver Toyota before the impact.
If you have dashcam footage or witnessed the vehicle’s path, contact Trooper Somerville at 219-696-6242.
