Jasper County-A second fatal crash involving college students going home occurred at 2:50 P.M., this Saturday, May 4th, 2013, afternoon on I-65 north bound just north of the Wolcott/Remington exit (201 milemarker).
Preliminary investigation by Senior Trooper Martin Benner revealed that a 1999 Ford Explorer, driven by Christin B. Gelenas (female), 21 of Valparaiso, was north bound in the left lane and was slowing/stopping for an earlier fatal car crash that had occurred at the 205 mile marker.
A 1997 Mercury Sable, driven by Shannon K. Morrison, 20 of Wheatfield, was also in the left lane when she realized traffic up ahead was slowing/stopping. Morrison swerved to the right to avoid a car that was in front of her, lost control, over corrected, and began to slide. Morrison’s Sable hit Gelenas’ Explorer passenger side to passenger side causing the Explorer to roll. The Explorer came to rest upright in the roadway.
Melissa Gelenas, 51 of Valparaiso, a front seat passenger in the Explorer and mother to Christin was ejected out of the Explorer and came to rest in the roadway. Melissa was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jasper County Coroner of massive blunt force trauma. Her family has been notified.
Christin Gelenas was taken to Jasper County Hospital in Rensselaer with abrasions to her knees. She was wearing her seat belt.
Morrison was also wearing a seat belt and was not injured. Morrison was cited for Unsafe Lane Movement.
Alcohol/drugs are not a factor in this crash.
All traffic was stopped north bound at this location for an earlier fatal crash. All lanes were re-opened at 5:42 P.M.
Agencies assisting: Jasper County Coroner, Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, Remington Fire and Prompt EMS
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Picture is of the Sable and Explorer at the 201 mile marker
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
