A tragic Fourth of July accident left a 19-year-old nursing student killed in northwest Indiana after authorities say a driver attempting to maneuver around another vehicle struck the vehicle she was driving head-on.
Grace Norris, 19, of DeMotte, was killed in the head-on collision around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Winfield, Indiana, in the 7000 block of East 117th Avenue. Police said a driver traveling the other direction attempted to pass another vehicle and collided with Norris' sedan.
At the time of the crash, Norris' 13-year-old sister Emma and her friend Bella were also in the car.
According to police, Norris was pronounced dead at the scene. Emma and Bella, also 13, were transported to local hospitals and are both expected to recover.
The driver was identified as a 44-year-old woman of Crown Point. Her condition was not revealed in a press release from authorities.
Norris' dad, Jason Norris, told NBC Chicago that the day was supposed to be as it was for millions on Tuesday - a Fourth of July party with friends and family.
He said that at Tuesday's party, Norris was asked by her sister to pick up friends to bring them to the party, which she agreed to do without hesitation, something her dad said was indicative of her personality.
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After some time had passed, the friends expecting a ride had called Jason Norris, asking where Norris was. This led him to check a location-tracking app, which indicated that both Norris and Emma's location had not moved in over 50 minutes.
After not receiving a response, Jason Norris and his girlfriend drove toward the location where his daughter was last reported to be, encountering a coroner's van shortly before reaching the scene of the accident.
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According to officials, Grace Norris had died upon impact.
Jason Norris, a father of eight, is grieving the tragic loss while remembering a legacy of kindness and love left behind, describing his daughter as a "beautiful, loving soul."
"She tried to make others happy. She was the light of everyone's life that she encountered," he said.
He added that Norris was in her last year of nursing school, a profession he said fit his daughter so well due to her helpful and caring nature.
Jason Norris and his girlfriend have been visiting with Emma at Comer Children's Hospital, where she recently woke up with no recollection of the crash and learned of her sister's passing.
"It wasn't the opportune time to tell her because of her condition, but I had to tell her, and she broke down and it was terrible for all of us," Jason Norris said.
He described Norris as Emma's "idol," adding that the "senseless" nature of the crash has him at a loss for words.
In mourning his daughter with his extended family, which includes his ex-wife, Jason Norris left a poignant message.
"Your children shouldn't have to choose between mom and dad, or be caught in the middle of fights between mom and dad. So everybody, please just take my advice and make it work, even if you're divorced or separated. If there's bad blood between you, put your children first, please. You don't know how long you have them," he said.
The factors leading up to the crash remain under investigation, and there is currently no further information.
