MERRILLVILLE, IN : Woman identified in fiery New Year's Eve crash in Merrillville on Monday, 1st January 2018

The Lake County Coroner's office has identified the woman who died in a fiery crash in the early morning hours of New Year's Eve as Kayla Nelson, 23, of Oak Park, Illinois.

Merrillville police and fire officials were dispatched about 3:15 a.m. Sunday for a report of a car crash near Independence Park in the 3000 block of West 73rd Avenue.


Nelson was one of three passengers in a Lexus SUV when it left the roadway and struck a tree on the north side of 73rd Avenue. The car became "engulfed in flames," according to a Merrillville Police Department news release.

Nelson died from blunt force trauma in the car crash. She was pronounced dead at 3:55 a.m. at the scene. The driver and other passengers, all male, were transported to hospitals with life-threatening injuries.

Merrillville police and fire, Schererville emergency personnel and the coroner's office all assisted at the scene.

Source :
Woman identified in fiery New Year's Eve crash in Merrillville