Staff Report
MERRILLVILLE — One person died and two were injured in a wrong-way collision on I-65 shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday, north of Merrillville.
A preliminary investigation indicates the crash involved a driver traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-65, which resulted in a head-on crash.
Indiana State Police said a 2022 Toyota was traveling south in the northbound lanes of I-65 when it struck a Ford head-on.
The driver of the Toyota, Jessica Hughes, 29, from Hebron, had to be extricated and was airlifted to a hospital in Chicago.
Prior to transport, troopers police said they saw signs of impairment. Hughes remains in critical condition.
Rylee Hanson, 20, Hobart, was traveling north in the far-left lane in a Ford when the vehicles collided.
Hanson was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lake County Coroner.
A female passenger had serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment.
Both northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 65 were temporarily shut down to allow a medical helicopter to land.
No charges have been filed at this time. The investigation remains ongoing, pending further review and consultation with the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.
