Hobart, IN (March 15, 2026) – Authorities have filed charges against a woman accused of causing a fatal wrong-way crash that killed a 20-year-old woman last month on Interstate 65 in northwest Indiana.
According to the Indiana State Police, 29-year-old Jessica T. Hughes of Hebron, Indiana, faces multiple charges following the Feb. 21 collision.
Investigators said Hughes allegedly drove the wrong direction in the northbound lanes of Interstate 65 north of 61st Avenue in the area of Merrillville, Indiana. The vehicle she was operating collided head-on with another vehicle.
Authorities reported that the crash resulted in the death of 20-year-old Rylee Hanson. Officials also said Hughes and a passenger riding in Hanson’s vehicle were seriously injured in the collision.
According to investigators, Hughes allegedly had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.18% at the time of the crash, more than twice the legal limit. She has been charged with reckless homicide, death while operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, and causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration at or above that level.
After a warrant for her arrest was issued, Hughes turned herself in at the Lake County Jail. Officials said she later posted bond and is scheduled to appear in Lake County Superior Court in April.
Family members described Hanson as a bright and compassionate young woman who had graduated from Kankakee Valley High School. She had earned an EMT certification through Ivy Tech Community College and was planning to study criminology at Indiana University.
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing by the Indiana State Police.
We extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of the young woman who lost her life in this tragic accident.
Wrong-Way Driving Crashes Often Result in Severe or Fatal Collisions
Wrong-way crashes are among the most dangerous types of roadway accidents because they frequently involve head-on impacts at highway speeds.
Major routes such as Interstate 65 carry heavy traffic through areas like Merrillville, Indiana, where vehicles traveling in opposing directions can collide with little time to react.
When authorities investigate wrong-way crashes, they typically examine factors such as impairment, roadway signage, driver actions, and traffic patterns to determine how the vehicle entered the roadway in the wrong direction and what contributed to the collision.
