A car full of college students driving home was involved in a fatal car crash on Interstate 65 near Remington, Ind. Saturday, one of two fatal crashes to occur in the area within one hour.
Around 1:52 p.m., a 2003 Ford Explorer was northbound in the right lane when the right tire blew and caused the driver to lose control, according to an investigation by Master Trooper Scott Balch.
The Explorer veered right, came back left, and rolled approximately three times before coming to rest upright in the left lane, Indiana State Police said.
John Malone Jr., 20, of River Forest, was ejected from the car, which ultimately landed on top of him, and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
Michael Rendy, 20, of LaGrange, was also ejected from the Explorer and was airlifted to Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn with life threatening injuries, police said.
The two men were reportedly not wearing seat belts.
The driver, Mario Guagliardo, 20, of Deerfield, was taken to Jasper County Hospital with injuries to his hands, elbow and face.
Jason Blackman, 20, of Wilmette, was taken to Jasper County Hospital with ankle and rib injuries, police said.
One other passenger, Jacob Newman, 20, of LaGrange, was not injured.
Both Guagliardo and Newman were wearing seat belts, police said.
Alcohol or drugs were not a factor in the crash, police said.
One hour later, a second fatal crash took place on northbound I-65 just south of the previous accident, also near the Wolcott/Remington exit, police said.
A 1999 Ford Explorer, driven by 21-year-old Christin B. Gelenas, of Valparaiso, was in the left lane and was slowing for the earlier crash when a 1997 Mercury Sable, driven by 20-year-old Shannon Morrison, of Wheatfield, swerved to avoid traffic, lost control and hit the Explorer, police said.
The Explorer rolled over and came to rest upright in the roadway, ejecting Melissa Gelenas, 51, of Valparaiso out of the Explorer.
Gelenas was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jasper County Coroner of massive blunt force trauma.
Christin Gelenas was taken to Jasper County Hospital in Rensselaer with abrasions to her knees.
Morrison was not injured and was cited for unsafe lane movement, police said.
Alcohol or drugs were not a factor in this crash.
