HOBART — A two-vehicle collision involving a wrong-way driver on Interstate 65 early Monday morning left two people hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
At approximately 2:36 a.m. on Monday, October 26, 2026, emergency dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting a head-on collision in the northbound lanes of I-65 near the 257.5 mile marker, situated between the 61st Avenue and Ridge Road exits.
Callers indicated that a white vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes struck a northbound vehicle nearly head-on as both drivers attempted evasive maneuvers to avoid impact.
Upon arrival, Indiana State Police troopers discovered both drivers unconscious and trapped inside their respective vehicles. State troopers immediately rendered emergency first aid until Hobart Fire Department crews arrived on the scene. Both drivers required mechanical extrication to be freed from the wreckage and suffered severe, potentially life-threatening injuries.
Preliminary Investigation Details
According to preliminary investigative reports, a white 2016 Hyundai SUV was heading southbound in the northbound inside lane when it struck a black Nissan SUV traveling northbound in the same lane. Following the crash, the Hyundai came to rest on the inside shoulder, while the Nissan came to a stop on the outside shoulder.
Both drivers were transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center for emergency medical treatment.
Northbound lanes of Interstate 65 were closed for approximately three hours while state police crash reconstructionists documented the scene and cleared the debris. Investigators suspect alcohol and/or drugs were contributing factors in the incident.
Once the crash investigation is finalized, the findings will be submitted to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office for review regarding potential legal charges.
