CROWN POINT — A Hebron woman has been charged with multiple felonies following a harrowing wrong-way collision on Interstate 65 that claimed the life of a 20-year-old woman last month.
Jessica T. Hughes, 29, turned herself in to the Lake County Jail after a warrant was issued for her arrest. The charges follow an intensive investigation by the Indiana State Police into the February 2026 crash that occurred near the 256.4 mile-marker, just north of 61st Avenue.
The Lake County Prosecutor’s Office has filed the following criminal counts against Hughes, reckless homicide, a Level 5 felony, causing death when operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08% or above, a Level 4 felony, causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08% or above, a Level 5 felony
According to investigators, toxicology reports revealed that Hughes had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .18% at the time of the crash—more than double the Indiana legal limit of .08%.
The crash occurred at approximately 1:50 a.m. when Hughes, driving a silver 2022 Toyota, was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-65. Her vehicle struck a northbound 2016 Ford head-on in the far-left lane.
The impact killed the driver of the Ford, Rylee M. Hanson, 20, of Hobart. A female passenger in Hanson’s vehicle sustained serious injuries and was treated at a local hospital.
Hughes herself had to be extricated from her vehicle by fire personnel and was initially airlifted to a Chicago hospital in critical condition. Troopers noted signs of impairment at the scene prior to her transport.
Following her surrender to authorities, Hughes subsequently posted bond. She is scheduled to appear in Lake County Superior Court in April for an initial hearing.
Indiana State Police and the Lake County Coroner’s Office assisted in the investigation, which necessitated the temporary closure of all I-65 lanes on the night of the incident to allow for medical helicopter landing and scene processing.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through a fair and due legal process. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
