Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at approximately 12:10 PM, the Indiana State Police Lowell Post was contacted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department to investigate a crash at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Colfax St. in Gary involving a Lake County Officer, according to Sgt. Glen Fifield.
Preliminary investigation by the Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit revealed that a black, 2019, Dodge Charger police car, was travelling east on 5th Avenue when it struck a silver, 2005, Toyota Corolla that was making a left turn from 5th Avenue onto southbound Colfax. The driver of the Toyota was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene by the Lake County Coroner’s Office. The deceased has been identified as Gloria Melton, 77, of Gary.
The driver of the Charger, Officer Zachary Norcutt, was transported to Southlake Methodist Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Deputy Norcutt is also a K9 officer and his K9 was not injured in the crash. Officer Norcutt was on duty and assigned patrol in the area at the time of the crash.
This investigation is in its preliminary stages and for that reason, no other information can be released at this time, Fifield said.
Assisting at the scene were the following: Gary Police Department, Gary Fire Department, Indiana State Police Criminal Investigation Division, Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit, Lake County Coroner, Gary Street Department and Bert’s Towing.
