(La Porte County, IN) - Indiana State Police have confirmed and elaborated on details related to Saturday’s two-car interstate accident in La Porte County that claimed three lives.
The accident happened around 8:37 a.m. on eastbound I-94 two miles east of the Michigan City exit at U.S. 421. Police determined that a white 2023 Kia became disabled in the inside shoulder emergency lane. Its driver, 29-year-old Nirmit Alkesh Patel of Apex, North Carolina, had activated the vehicle’s hazard lights and was awaiting roadside service. A gray 2017 Dodge Journey driven by 41-year-old Jol Ranay Taylor of Muscatine, Iowa left the travel lanes and rear-ended the Kia. The force of the impact sent the Kia into the center lane of the interstate, where it burst into flames.
According to police, Patel was able to force open the driver’s door and escape. Three occupants were trapped inside the Kia and died in the wreckage. They have been identified as 58-year-old Alkesh Patel, 54-year-old Hina Alkesh Patel, and 30-year-old Aditi Nirmit Patel, all from Apex, North Carolina.
The driver of the Dodge and his two passengers were not injured. Police say they administered chemical tests for intoxication, as is standard procedure and required by law in fatal crashes. The results of those tests are pending analysis by the Indiana Department of Toxicology.
(Original story below)
A fiery car crash resulted in multiple fatalities and a closed interstate in La Porte County Saturday morning.
Reports indicate the accident happened on I-94 between Johnson Road and CR 400 N at about 8:35 a.m.
Indiana State Police responded to the scene, assisted by Michigan City Police. Early reports indicate that a disabled vehicle was parked on the shoulder of the interstate when it was rear-ended by another vehicle. The disabled vehicle burst into flames. Three people trapped inside perished. The driver was reportedly injured, but survived. The extent of the other driver’s injuries is unknown at this time.
All lanes of eastbound I-94 were closed for several hours for cleanup and accident reconstruction.
We’ll provide more details on this breaking story as they become available.
