Woman Killed in Early-Morning Crash Involving Semi on I-80 in Gary
A Michigan woman was killed early Wednesday morning following a crash involving a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle on Interstate 80 in Gary.
According to Indiana State Police, troopers were dispatched at approximately 2:30 a.m. to a fatal crash on I-80 westbound near mile marker 8.7 (Grant Street). The collision involved a semi-truck and a car.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office later identified the deceased as Dahlia Shakespeare-Sharpe, a 53-year-old, woman from Roseville, Michigan. The coroner was notified at 4:05 a.m., and Shakespeare-Sharpe was pronounced deceased at 4:30 a.m. at the scene. Her identity was confirmed by family at Methodist Hospital.
Preliminary findings list the cause of death as blunt force trauma due to a motor vehicle accident, with toxicology pending. The manner of death was ruled an accident. A forensic autopsy is scheduled for Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Lake County Forensic Science Center in Crown Point.
Indiana State Police reported that the semi-truck involved was hauling approximately 40,000 pounds of frozen food. The driver of the semi was not injured, while Shakespeare-Sharpe was driving the passenger vehicle involved in the crash.
Due to the investigation and scene cleanup, the left three westbound lanes of I-80 were closed for approximately five hours, causing significant traffic delays. Authorities confirmed the scene was cleared by 7:15 a.m., though traffic congestion continued afterward.
The crash remains under investigation. Indiana State Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or may have dash-camera footage to contact the Lowell Post and speak with Trooper Hathaway at 219-696-6242.
Agencies assisting at the scene included Gary Fire/EMS Department.
