(COLUMBIA CITY) - Authorities have identified a Kendallville woman and her two small children as the victims of a deadly crash Wednesday evening in Whitley County.
The Whitley County Sheriff's Department said 31-year-old Emily Franks of Kendallville was killed along with her children, ages 3 and 1, when her vehicle lost control on icy State Road 9 near County Road 300 North.
Investigators said Franks was driving northbound around 6:08 p.m. when her car crossed into the southbound lane and was struck by a pickup truck.
The driver of the pickup, 71-year-old David Bales of Albion, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Parkview Whitley Hospital.
Police said icy road conditions were a contributing factor. Both vehicles were totaled.
The fatal crash occurred during a period of heavy snowfall that caused numerous crashes and slide-offs across northeast Indiana. Emergency dispatchers reported multiple incidents as roads became slick and visibility dropped.
Sheriff's officials urged drivers to slow down, increase following distance, and use headlights during winter weather, reminding motorists that icy conditions can quickly turn deadly.
The crash remains under investigation.