LAKE COUNTY, IN. (THECOUNT) — Rylee Hanson has been identified as the victim killed in an early Saturday morning wrong-way crash on Interstate 65 in Lake County. Hanson, 20, of Hobart, Indiana, previously of DeMotte, was pronounced deceased at the scene following the head-on collision, according to authorities.
The crash occurred at approximately 1:50 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-65 near the 256.4 mile-marker in the Merrillville area, just north of 61st Avenue. Troopers with the Indiana State Police responded to reports of a two-vehicle crash involving a wrong-way driver.
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Preliminary investigation indicates a silver 2022 Toyota was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 65 when it struck a black 2016 Ford head-on. Authorities said the Ford was traveling northbound in the far-left lane at the time of the collision.
Hanson was driving the Ford. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
A female passenger in the Ford sustained serious injuries in the crash. She was transported by ambulance to St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment. Authorities have not released additional information regarding her current condition.
The driver of the Toyota has been identified as Jessica Hughes, 29, of Hebron, Indiana. Hughes had to be extricated from her vehicle by local fire personnel due to the severity of the damage sustained in the collision. She was subsequently airlifted to a hospital in Chicago for treatment. Authorities said she remains in critical condition.
According to Indiana State Police, troopers made observations prior to Hughes’ transport that led investigators to believe she may have been impaired at the time of the crash. Officials emphasized that no charges have been filed at this time. The investigation remains ongoing pending further review and consultation with the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.
Both the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 65 were temporarily shut down to allow a medical helicopter to land and to enable troopers to conduct crash investigation and scene processing. The roadway was later reopened after authorities completed their initial on-scene work.
Indiana State Police troopers assigned to the Lowell Post are leading the investigation. Officials have requested that anyone who may have dash-camera footage of the crash, or of either vehicle prior to the collision, contact Trooper Somerville at 219-696-6242. Investigators are seeking any information that could assist in determining the sequence of events leading up to the wrong-way incident.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding how long the Toyota may have been traveling in the wrong direction prior to the crash or where it may have entered the interstate. Those details are expected to be addressed as the investigation continues.
Law enforcement officials reiterated that all suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The case remains under active investigation, and additional information may be released as it becomes available through official channels.
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