Full Notification

In the first release:*** NOTE THAT THE NAME OF ONE OF PASSENGERS IS SPELLED Rendy the CORRECT SPELLING IS RENDE***
: College Students Going Home Involved in Fatal Crash

Jasper County-A carful of college students driving home from college were involved in a fatal car crash on I-65 north bound just north of the Remington exit (mile marker 205) this afternoon, May 4th, 2013.

Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Scott Balch revealed that, at approximately 1:53 P.M., a 2003 Ford Explorer, driven by Mario L. Guagliardo, 20 of Deerfield, Illinois, was north bound in the right lane when the right tire blew and caused him to lose control. The Explorer veered to the right, came back left, and rolled approximately 3 times; it came to rest upright in the left lane.

Jacob M. Newman, 20 of LaGrange, Illinois was the front seat passenger; he was wearing his seat belt and was not injured.

Michael D. Rende, 20 of LaGrange, Illinois was seated in the back seat behind Guagliardo. Rendy was ejected out of the Explorer and came to rest in the roadway. He was airlifted to Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois with life threatening injuries. His family has been notified. He was not wearing a seat belt.

Jason L. Blackman, 20 of Wilmette, Illinois, was seated in the back middle seat. He was taken to Jasper County Hospital in Rensselaer with ankle and ribs injury.

John J. Malone Junior, 20 of River Forest, Illinois was seated in the back seat behind Rendy. Malone was not wearing his seat belt and was ejected out of the Explorer with the Explorer coming to rest on him. Malone was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jasper County Coroner of massive blunt force trauma. Malone’s family has been notified.

Guagliardo (driver) was taken to Jasper County Hospital with injuries to his hands, elbow, and face. He was wearing his seat belt.

Alcohol/drugs are not a factor in this crash.

All lanes north bound were closed for investigation of the crash, removal of the injured, deceased, and vehicle, landing of the air ambulance, and clean-up of the roadway. All traffic was diverted off at the 201 mile marker (Wolcott/Remington exit).

Agencies assisting: Jasper County Coroner, Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, Remington Fire and Prompt EMS

The Indiana State Police would like to remind the motoring public to PLEASE Buckle UP!!! The life you save may be your own.

-30-

Second Crash-****NOTE THAT THE LAST NAME OF CHRISTIN AND MELISSA IS GELINAS NOT Gelenas.

Second Fatal Crash Today Involving College Students Going Home

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. Gelinas (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 Gelinas’ Explorer passenger side to passenger side causing the Explorer to roll. The Explorer came to rest upright in the roadway.

Melissa Gelinas, 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 Gelinas 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

-30-