In a tragic incident that unfolded in the early hours of Friday, a collision on Interstate 65 in Hobart, Indiana, claimed the lives of three young individuals—a 19-year-old, a 9-year-old, and a 5-year-old. The crash occurred just a mile south of Ridge Road, as reported by Indiana State Police.
Authorities responded promptly to the scene around midnight, discovering a blue Ford Explorer positioned westerly, obstructing the highway’s right two lanes. The vehicle’s driver, a 31-year-old woman from Gary, Indiana, reportedly veered off course after allegedly falling asleep at the wheel.
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The unfortunate sequence of events led to the Ford Explorer rear-ending a stationary white Freightliner Cascadia. The semi-truck, parked on the shoulder due to mechanical troubles, sustained severe damage when the Ford collided with it at a considerable speed.
Both the Ford and the trailer suffered extensive damage from the impact, described by police as “catastrophic.” This incident underscores the critical importance of road safety and the tragic consequences that can arise from lapses behind the wheel.
She then rear-ended a white Freightliner Cascadia with an attached box trailer at a high rate of speed, ISP said. The semi was parked on the right shoulder due to mechanical issues.
The Ford suffered “catastrophic damage” from crashing into the trailer, which was also significantly damaged, ISP said.
The Ford’s driver suffered upper body injuries and was taken to Franciscan Hospital in Crown Point for treatment. The Hobart Fire Department said she was in critical condition.
Three children were in the Ford when the crash happened.
One person, unrestrained in the front passenger seat, was ejected from the Ford and died on the scene.
Two others, who were not properly restrained in the rear left seat and the rear middle seat, also died on the scene.
A fourth person, who was not properly restrained in the third row’s middle seat, suffered severe injuries. A medical helicopter transported them to the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Police initially said there were four children, but one was 19.
The Lake County, Illinois Coroner’s Office identified those killed as 19-year-old Raniah Simpson of Chicago, 9-year-old Royce Sims of Chicago and 5-year-old Artavius Sims of Chicago.
They all suffered blunt force injuries.
The semi’s driver was not injured.
ISP said police are submitting felony charges against the Ford’s driver to the Lake County, Indiana prosecutor for consideration.
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