I-65 crash: Alleged drunk driver Jessica T. Hughes charged in wrong-way car crash that killed Rylee Hanson near Merrillville, IN

In Hobart, Indiana, a grave incident has led to serious charges against a woman accused of causing a fatal crash while allegedly driving under the influence. Authorities have charged 29-year-old Jessica T. Hughes from Hebron, Indiana, following an accident last month that tragically claimed the life of a young woman.

The Indiana State Police reported that Hughes is facing charges of reckless homicide and causing death and serious injury while operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration at or above the legal limit of 0.08%. They noted her blood alcohol concentration was allegedly 0.18% at the time of the crash on February 21.

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This tragic collision occurred on the northbound lanes of Interstate 65, just north of 61st Avenue near Merrillville. The crash resulted in the death of 20-year-old Rylee Hanson, while Hughes and another passenger suffered serious injuries.

Hughes has since surrendered to authorities at the Lake County Jail, subsequently posting bond, and is scheduled to appear in Lake County Superior Court in April.

The loss of Rylee Hanson has deeply affected her family and community. Hanson was remembered as a vibrant young woman who had graduated from Kankakee Valley High School in Demotte, Indiana, where she also obtained her EMT certification from Ivy Tech Community College. She was planning to pursue criminology at Indiana University, a future now tragically cut short.

Hanson’s family said she was a ray of light who graduated from Kankakee Valley High School in Demotte, Indiana, where she earned her EMT certification from Ivy Tech Community College. She was headed to criminology studies at Indiana University.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

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