Royce Sims, Artavius Sims and Raniah Simpson Obituary, Car Accident Death: Gary Woman Facing Felony Charges After Deadly I-65 Crash Claims Three Young Lives
Three young lives were lost in a devastating overnight crash on Interstate 65 in Indiana, an incident that has left families shattered and authorities continuing a complex investigation into what led to the tragedy.
According to the Indiana State Police, the crash occurred shortly after midnight on Friday, May 15, on southbound I-65 near the 257.2 mile marker, just south of Ridge Road in Hobart. Investigators said a Ford Explorer carrying four children was traveling southbound when it struck the rear of a disabled semi-truck and trailer that had been parked on the right shoulder due to mechanical issues.
Officials reported that the SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of impact, resulting in a violent collision that caused severe and fatal injuries to multiple passengers inside the vehicle.
The victims have been identified as Royce Sims, 9; Artavius Sims, 5; and Raniah Simpson, 19. A fourth child, 7-year-old Terrion, survived the crash but remains in critical condition after being airlifted to the University of Chicago Medical Center for emergency treatment.
Authorities confirmed that one of the children was ejected from the vehicle during the crash, underscoring the severity of the impact. The driver of the Ford Explorer, identified as 31-year-old Renee Foster of Gary, also sustained injuries and was transported to Franciscan Health Crown Point. The semi-truck driver was not injured.
Investigators said Foster reported she may have fallen asleep while driving prior to the collision. Toxicology testing is pending, and officials stated that both drivers consented to blood analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.
Following a preliminary review, law enforcement has recommended multiple felony charges, including four counts of neglect of a dependent, reckless driving, driving while suspended, and child restraint violations. The case has been submitted to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office for final charging decisions. Foster is not currently in custody due to medical treatment.
As investigators continue to reconstruct the events leading up to the crash, authorities are examining factors such as speed, driver fatigue, roadway visibility, and the circumstances surrounding the disabled semi-truck on the shoulder.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Gary and broader Indiana community, with an outpouring of grief for the three children who lost their lives and concern for the critically injured survivor. Families and community members are now focused on mourning, support, and seeking answers in the aftermath of an incident that has left a lasting impact on all involved.