NORTHWEST INDIANA — A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded late Wednesday night in northwest Indiana, where five young lives were lost in a devastating collision between an SUV and a train. The crash, which occurred near the intersection of U.S. Route 20 and Utah Street around 10 p.m., has left the city of Gary in mourning and authorities urging drivers to take caution near railway crossings.
Authorities have now identified the victims who died in the crash. According to the Lake County Coroner’s Office, the five individuals inside the SUV were:
Maurice Parrish, 20
Sherise Parrish, 20
Latianna King, 20
Byron Towns, 21
De’Mario Craig, 24
All five victims, officials confirmed, resided at the same address in Gary, Indiana—making this tragedy a profound blow to a single household and to an entire community that now grieves together.
According to preliminary findings from the investigation, it appears the SUV attempted to bypass the active railroad crossing gates when it was struck by an oncoming South Shore Line train. The impact was catastrophic. All occupants were ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say no passengers on board the train were injured.
NBC Chicago’s Regina Waldroup, reporting live from the scene, shared that emergency responders were visibly shaken by the scale and nature of the tragedy. “This was a horrific scene. These were young lives, full of promise,” Waldroup said.
The South Shore Line—a commuter rail line that connects northwest Indiana to Chicago—resumed service later Thursday morning, but the pain of the incident continues to reverberate across the region. Officials say they are continuing to investigate the exact circumstances of the crash, reviewing surveillance footage and analyzing signals and gate functions to determine whether all safety mechanisms were operating correctly.
In the meantime, local leaders and law enforcement are urging drivers to heed crossing signals and remember that attempting to beat a train—even for a second—can have irreversible consequences. “This is a devastating reminder of the dangers at railway crossings,” said a spokesperson for the Indiana State Police. “No destination is worth the loss of life.”
Family members and friends have begun gathering to mourn the five victims, describing them as tightly bonded, fun-loving individuals who looked out for one another. “They were more than friends—they were family,” said a relative who wished to remain unnamed. “This loss is unimaginable. It’s like we lost five pieces of our heart all at once.”
As the community grapples with the shock and sorrow of this senseless loss, tributes are already being organized to honor the memories of Maurice, Sherise, Latianna, Byron, and De’Mario. A candlelight vigil is being planned in Gary this weekend to give the public a chance to come together, grieve, and remember the lives taken far too soon.
Authorities urge anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have relevant information to contact the Indiana State Police as the investigation remains active.
This tragedy is a somber call to attention—a moment to slow down, observe, and never underestimate the power and speed of an approaching train. Five lives are gone, but their memories and the lessons of this heartbreaking night must endure.
