A 19-year-old Lowell woman was killed Monday afternoon in a multi-vehicle crash on State Road 10 near DeMotte, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies were dispatched at approximately 12:17 p.m. on June 8 after receiving numerous 911 calls reporting a serious crash on State Road 10 near County Road 1100 West.

According to preliminary investigators, a 2013 Ford Fusion driven by 26-year-old Kiana Bessette of Wheatfield was traveling eastbound on State Road 10 when it struck the rear of a 2006 Mini Cooper driven by 19-year-old Marjorie Rottier of Lowell. Rottier was traveling with two juvenile passengers at the time.

The impact pushed the Mini Cooper into the westbound lane, where it was struck by a 2024 Ford F-150 driven by 45-year-old Lori Asztalof of Lowell.

Authorities said the Ford Fusion continued eastbound following the initial collision and then struck a 2019 Ford Flex driven by 64-year-old Penny Diehl of Rensselaer. Two juvenile passengers were also inside the Ford Flex.

Despite investigators determining that all occupants involved were wearing seat belts and that airbags deployed in all four vehicles, Rottier suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

All other occupants involved in the crash were transported by Keener Township EMS and Newton County EMS to regional trauma centers in Crown Point and Kankakee for evaluation and treatment. Due to adverse weather conditions, air medical helicopters were unable to respond to the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department with assistance from the Indiana State Police and the Jasper County Coroner’s Office.

Additional assistance at the scene was provided by the Keener Township Fire Department, which extricated several occupants from damaged vehicles. The Newton County Sheriff’s Department and DeMotte Police Department also assisted with the response.

Authorities said additional information will be released as the investigation continues.

The investigation remains ongoing. All information is preliminary and subject to change as investigators continue to gather evidence.