Woman dies in wrong-way crash on Interstate 65 in northwest Indiana

A woman died in a wrong-way crash involving a suspected impaired driver on a northwest Indiana interstate, authorities said.

Indiana State Police said at approximately 1:50 a.m. on Saturday, troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 65 near the 256.4 mile-marker in the northbound lanes near of 61st Avenue.

According to authorities, a silver 2022 Toyota was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-65 when it struck a 2016 Ford head-on. The driver of the Toyota was extricated by first responders and airlifted to a Chicago hospital, where she was listed in critical condition.

State police identified the driver as Jessica Hughes, 29, of Hebron. Before Hughes was taken to the hospital troopers made observations that indicated she may be impaired, authorities said.

The driver of the Ford was pronounced dead at the scene. She was identified as Rylee Hanson, 20, of Hobart.

A female passenger was also injured and transported to an area hospital with serious injuries, state police said.

Both northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 65 were temporarily shut down to allow a medical helicopter to land and a crash investigation.

As of Saturday afternoon, no charges had been filed in the crash.

Investigators ask anyone with dash-cam footage of the incident or the vehicles prior to the crash, are requested to contact Trooper Somerville at 219-696-6242.