A tragic crash unfolded early Friday in northwest Indiana when a driver slammed into the back of a stopped semi-truck on a northwest Indiana interstate, killing a 19-year-old woman and two children.
The crash was reported a few minutes after midnight along Interstate 65 in Hobart.
Hobart firefighters told NBC Chicago it was one of the most difficult calls they have ever responded to.
“The SUV sustained catastrophic damage,” Hobart Fire Department Assistant Chief Ron Reed said. “The vehicle was basically cut in half. It was wide open.”
The 19-year-old and two children who died were inside a blue Ford Explorer that crashed into a disabled semi on the shoulder. Police said the children in the SUV were not restrained in seatbelts or car seats.
According to Indiana State Police, the driver, who was identified as 31-year-old Renee Foster, fell asleep while driving. She faces charges including reckless driving and child restraint violations.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified the passengers who were killed as Raniah Simpson, 19, Royce Sims, 9 and Artavius Sims, 5, all Chicago residents.
“Seatbelts save lives,” Reed said. “We’ve seen some of the worst accidents we’ve ever seen, and people walk away because they had…seatbelt on.”
According to a GoFundMe, a 7-year-old survived and was airlifted to the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Hobart fire officials want to remind drivers that all children must be either in car seats or wear seatbelts.
“We give them away here for free. Anybody who needs a safety seat, and they live in the city of Hobart, they can come to our station, and we will provide it for free,” Reed said.
Police said both drivers submitted a blood draw, and results were pending as of Friday.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor, according to state police.
