The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of those involved in Tuesday’s fatal, four-vehicle crash on U.S. 20.
Officers believe a Buick driven by Jeffery Williams, 33, of Gary was heading eastbound when it crossed the center line and hit a westbound Hyundai. Williams and his passenger, Catrina Bontrager, 30, of Goshen were pronounced dead at the scene, as was Michael Nahhas, 23, of Niles, Illinois, the front-seat passenger in the Hyundai. LaPorte County Coroner Bob Cutler says the cause of death for all three victims was massive blunt force trauma.
The driver of the Hyundai is identified as Issa Sweilem, 27, of Niles, Illinois. Sweilem and the rear-seat passenger, Jospeh Ghandour, 26, also of Niles, were taken to South Bend Memorial Hospital in critical condition. A Rottweiler puppy found in the Hyundai was believed to have been killed on impact.
Police say that first crash then set off a chain reaction involving a total of four vehicles, including a semi tractor-trailer. The semi driver then reportedly steered his heavily-damaged truck away from other vehicles. Officers say his actions prevented even more vehicles from getting hit.
Investigators say they haven’t determined why the Buick went left of center, but they’ve ruled out drugs and alcohol. They add the crash had U.S. 20 closed Tuesday from about 1:00 to 5:45 p.m.
It remains under investigation.
