A Chicago woman was killed and three others were severely injured in a collision late Saturday night on Interstate 65 in northwest Indiana, police said.
Navya Gadusu, 25, was pronounced dead following the crash, which occurred at around 11:15 p.m. in the northbound lanes of the interstate about one mile south of the Crown Point exit, according to police and the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
A preliminary investigation indicates a red 2016 Dodge minivan, which was carrying seven adults, was traveling at approximately 10 to 15 miles per hour while following another vehicle experiencing mechanical problems, state police said.
The driver of a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban, who didn’t realize how slow the minivan was traveling, attempted to avoid a crash by swerving left, but ended up hitting the minivan’s rear driver’s side.
State police said only the minivan’s two front seats were properly installed. Five passengers were not properly restrained and were seated on boxes of mangoes, authorities said. Following the crash, Gadusu was transported to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Three other passengers suffered severe injuries and were taken to local hospitals before being transferred to Chicago for additional treatment.
Following the crash, state police reiterated the importance of being properly restrained and wearing seatbelts. Troopers also urged drivers experiencing a mechanical problem to pull off to the shoulder and activate hazard lights until help arrives.
