Melissa Gelenas 2nd Illinois resident killed in an Indiana vehicle accident this weekend

The second fatal crash took place about 2:50 p.m. on northbound I-65 at mile marker 201, just south of the previous accident and also north of the Wolcott/Remington exit, police said.

A 1999 Ford Explorer, driven by Christin B. Gelenas, 21, of Valparaiso, was stopping for the backup caused by the earlier crash when a 1997 Mercury Sable driven by Shannon K. Morrison, 20, of Wheatfield, went out of control due to traffic and hit the Explorer, police said.

The Explorer rolled over and came to rest upright in the roadway, but the crash killed Christin Gelenas' mother, Melissa Gelenas, 51, of Valparaiso, who was a front-seat passenger next to her daughter. Police said she was pronounced dead at the scene of blunt force trauma.

Christin Gelenas was taken to Jasper County Hospital in Rensselaer with abrasions to her knees. She was wearing her seat belt, police said. 

Morrison, who also was wearing a seat belt and was not injured, was cited for unsafe lane movement, police said. 

Alcohol or drugs also were not a factor in this crash. 

All northbound lanes were closed for hours during the emergency response and investigation of the crashes, and state police said they were assisted by the Jasper County Coroner, Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, Remington Fire and Prompt EMS. All lanes were re-opened at 5:42 p.m.