3 from Painesville dead in Indiana crash blamed on wrong-way driver

MISHAWAKA, Ind. >> Authorities say three people from Ohio have died following a four-vehicle crash in northern Indiana caused by a wrong-way driver.

The crash happened Sunday evening along the Indiana Toll Road near Mishawaka.

State police were responding to a call about a vehicle being driven erratically along the eastbound lanes when it turned around and headed westbound in the eastbound lanes. Police say soon afterward the wrong-way driver collided with an SUV and a truck. A car also crashed.

Police say three passengers in the SUV died, including 42-year-old Denita Rice, 1-year-old Bryson Rice and 12-year-old Makayla Lanier. Police say the SUV driver and another child were taken to a hospital. Those in the SUV were from Painesville.

The 32-year-old South Bend man identified as the wrong-way driver was hospitalized.