Jasper County- This morning (11/21/2024) at 11:35, Troopers responded to a multi-vehicle crash on I-65 northbound at the 228.3 mile-marker. This location is 2 miles south of the Demotte/Roselawn exit. Preliminary investigation by Trooper Kurtis Jones shows that a white Chevrolet Trailblazer was traveling northbound and failed to recognize that traffic had slowed significantly in front of them. Traffic had slowed due to the limited visibility caused by the blowing snow across the roadway. The Trailblazer rear-ended a yellow Toyota Sienna. This impact caused the Sienna to be pushed into the rear of a semi that was also traveling northbound. The Sienna sustained severe damage as a result of the crash. A passenger who was seated in the rear of the van, and was also sitting in a wheelchair, suffered life-threatening injuries and was later declared deceased by the Jasper County Coroner.
The deceased has been identified as Mary A. Sumara, 77, from Demotte, Indiana. Family has been notified. The driver of the Trailblazer and a one-year-old passenger who was also in the Trailblazer were transported to Franciscan Hospital in Crown Point for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The semi driver was not injured.
Assisting at the scene was the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, Keener Twp. EMS/Fire, and Village Motors.