Gary, IN – A two-vehicle crash on I-80 early this morning claimed the life of a 25-year-old woman from Merrillville. The accident occurred around 3:50 a.m., eastbound near the 8.4-mile marker, between Burr Street and Grant Street.
According to a preliminary investigation by Indiana State Police, a Hyundai Santa Fe, driven by Darya Foster, 25, rear-ended a Lazy Boy box truck in the right center lane. Authorities said the Hyundai was traveling at a high rate of speed when the crash occurred. The impact caused the box truck to lose control and hit the median wall, before crossing all lanes and crashing into a ditch.
Foster was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. The Hyundai continued eastward for about a quarter mile before stopping. The Lake County Coroner’s Office notified her family.
The two individuals in the box truck were taken to Methodist Northlake Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Police closed the roadway for several hours to investigate and clear the scene. The crash is under further investigation by state police.
