St. Joseph County- A crash on the Indiana Toll Road this evening has claimed three lives and injured two others.

At approximately 7:55 p.m., on October 2, 2022, Indiana State Police Dispatch began receiving calls of a serious crash on the Indiana Toll Road near mile marker 67.6 involving two vehicles that had eastbound lanes blocked.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Bryce Bustamante indicates that a white SUV was traveling westbound when it struck a deer. The white SUV then crossed the center median and collided with a black Ford pickup truck that was traveling eastbound.

Both the driver and passenger of the white SUV died as a result of the crash. Both were pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the black Ford pickup and backseat passenger were transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, IN with serious injuries. The front seat passenger in the Ford died in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Eastbound lanes remain closed for crash investigation and removal of the vehicles. Eastbound traffic is being diverted at the LaPorte Exit at mile marker 49.

The Indiana State Police were assisted at the crash scene by South Bend Fire, Clay Territory Fire, Warren Township Fire, the St. Joseph County Coroner, and ITRCC Maintenance.