Indiana State Police said an SUV hit a disabled semi on I-65.
HOBART, Ind. — A 19-year-old woman and two children from Chicago were killed early Friday when an SUV struck a disabled semi-truck on Interstate 65 in northwest Indiana, authorities said.
Indiana State Police said the crash happened a few minutes after midnight on southbound I-65 in Hobart. Investigators identified the SUV driver as 31-year-old Renee Foster. Police said Foster fell asleep before the Ford Explorer hit the rear of a semi that was stopped on the shoulder.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified the passengers who died as Raniah Simpson, 19, Royce Sims, 9, and Artavius Sims, 5. All three were Chicago residents. Police said the children were not restrained in seat belts or child safety seats at the time of the crash. A 7-year-old child survived and was flown to the University of Chicago Medical Center, according to a family fundraiser.
Hobart Fire Department Assistant Chief Ron Reed said the damage to the SUV was severe. “The SUV sustained catastrophic damage,” Reed said. “The vehicle was basically cut in half. It was wide open.” Firefighters said the call was among the hardest they had answered.
State police said Foster faces charges that include reckless driving and child restraint violations. Both drivers submitted blood draws after the crash, and results were pending Friday. Police said alcohol is believed to be a factor, though investigators had not released final findings.
The crash left two families grieving and placed renewed attention on child restraints and seat belt use. A fundraiser organized for the families said Royce, Artavius and Simpson died on impact, while the surviving child remained critically injured. The fundraiser also said Foster was hospitalized with multiple fractures and broken bones.
Reed said emergency crews often see seat belts make the difference in violent crashes. “Seatbelts save lives,” Reed said. “We’ve seen some of the worst accidents we’ve ever seen, and people walk away because they had seatbelt on.”
Investigators had not announced blood test results or a full crash report by Friday night. The case remains under review by Indiana State Police.
Author note: Last updated May 17, 2026.