DeMotte, IN (June 10, 2026) – A 19-year-old woman lost her life in a four-vehicle wreck on State Rd 10 near West County Rd 1100 North in DeMotte on Monday, June 8. The fatal collision occurred at approximately 12:15 p.m., according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department.
Investigators said a 2013 Ford Fusion driven by a 26-year-old Wheatfield woman was traveling eastbound when it struck a 2006 Mini Cooper operated by Marjorie Rottier, 19. Rottier had two children in the vehicle with her at the time. The force of the collision pushed the Mini Cooper into oncoming traffic, where it was struck by a 2024 Ford F-150 driven by a 45-year-old Lowell woman.
The Ford Fusion continued eastbound and then collided with a third passenger vehicle driven by a 64-year-old woman from Rensselaer. Two children were also inside that vehicle. Investigators reported that all occupants in the four vehicles were wearing seatbelts and that airbags deployed during the crash.
Despite those safety measures, Rottier was pronounced dead at the scene. Weather conditions reportedly prevented an air medical helicopter from reaching the roadway. Information regarding injuries to the other occupants was not included in the initial report.
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the collision. We extend our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Marjorie Rottier.
How Multi-Vehicle Crashes Can Escalate Quickly
Multi-vehicle crashes often begin with an initial collision that causes one or more vehicles to enter other lanes of traffic. When this occurs on roads with vehicles traveling in opposite directions, the risk of secondary impacts increases significantly.
The movement of a vehicle after the first point of contact can create hazards for drivers who have little time to react. Even when seatbelts are worn and airbags deploy properly, the forces involved in multiple impacts can result in severe or fatal injuries.
Investigators typically review vehicle damage, tire marks, roadway conditions, and witness statements to determine how each stage of a multi-vehicle collision unfolded. Weather can also affect emergency operations, particularly when air medical transportation is needed but cannot fly safely. Understanding the sequence of impacts is often key to determining how these complex crashes develop.
