Indiana State Police Investigating Fatal Crash on I-80 at Cline Avenue
GARY — The Indiana State Police are investigating a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 23-year-old woman early Sunday morning on I-80 near Cline Avenue.
According to investigators, the crash occurred at approximately 1:56 a.m. when a vehicle struck a concrete bridge support at mile marker 4.8 and quickly became engulfed in flames. The Gary Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Faith Vandell Mitchell, 23, of Chicago, Illinois. Family members were able to make a preliminary identification through tattoos, but authorities said official confirmation will require DNA or dental records.
Mitchell was pronounced dead at 2:38 a.m. by a Lake County Coroner’s investigator. A forensic autopsy is scheduled for Monday, September 22, at the Lake County Forensic Center in Crown Point. The coroner’s office reported her cause of death as multiple blunt force traumatic and burn injuries sustained in the crash.
The manner of death has been ruled an accident.
Agencies assisting at the scene included the Indiana State Police and the Gary Fire Department. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
