Northwest Indiana Mourns Five Young Lives Lost in Tragic SUV-Train Collision in Gary
A heartbreaking tragedy has shaken the northwest Indiana community to its core after five young adults were killed late Wednesday night in a catastrophic collision between an SUV and a freight train. The devastating crash occurred around 10:00 p.m. near the intersection of U.S. Route 20 and Utah Street in the city of Gary, leaving families shattered, friends grieving, and an entire community searching for answers in the wake of unfathomable loss.
Authorities have identified the victims as:
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Maurice Parrish, 20
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Sherise Parrish, 20
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Latianna King, 20
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Byron Towns, 21
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De’Mario Craig, 24
All five were pronounced dead at the scene after their SUV was struck by a westbound train. According to preliminary reports, the vehicle was attempting to cross the tracks when it was hit by the train, which dragged the SUV for a considerable distance before it came to a stop. Emergency responders arrived to find the vehicle mangled and its occupants beyond rescue.
Investigators from the Gary Police Department and the Lake County Coroner’s Office, along with officials from the railroad company and federal transportation safety agencies, are working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the collision. It remains unclear whether the crossing gates were functional at the time or if the SUV attempted to beat the train across the tracks.
A City in Mourning
The crash has left a deep wound in the heart of Gary — a city already burdened by socioeconomic challenges and struggling with the cumulative toll of violence, loss, and tragedy. For many residents, this latest heartbreak feels especially cruel, robbing the community of five promising young people with their entire lives ahead of them.
Maurice and Sherise Parrish, both 20, were siblings known for their close bond and big dreams. Friends say Maurice was passionate about music and had been working on producing his own tracks, while Sherise aspired to become a teacher. Their vibrant energy and strong family values were admired by many.
Latianna King, also 20, was remembered as a warm and loving young woman with a heart for helping others. She recently began working toward a degree in healthcare, hoping to one day become a nurse. Her smile, friends say, “could light up even the darkest day.”
Byron Towns, 21, was described as a quiet yet driven individual with a love for mechanics. He was attending trade school and planned to open his own auto repair business someday. “He wanted to build something he could pass down,” said a friend.
De’Mario Craig, 24, the oldest among the victims, was known as a mentor and role model to many of the younger kids in the neighborhood. He had recently taken on a new job and was working hard to provide for his family. “He was making real changes in his life,” said a cousin. “He wanted to be someone the community could count on.”
Community Response
In the wake of this tragedy, community members have gathered at the crash site to leave flowers, candles, and handwritten messages of love and remembrance. Vigils are being planned throughout the week in Gary and neighboring communities, where friends and family will gather to share stories, offer prayers, and mourn the irreplaceable loss of five lives cut far too short.
City officials and faith leaders have also spoken out, offering condolences and calling for renewed attention to railway crossing safety. “This is a devastating moment for our city,” said Gary Mayor Jerome Prince. “We have lost five of our own — our children, our neighbors, our future. We must come together not only to grieve, but to demand safer infrastructure and greater public awareness about the dangers of train crossings.”
Transportation authorities urge drivers to never attempt to cross tracks when warning lights are flashing or gates are down and to always treat train tracks as active — even in seemingly quiet or low-traffic areas.
A Community Forever Changed
The magnitude of this loss is difficult to comprehend. Five families are now preparing funerals instead of celebrating milestones. Five seats are empty at dinner tables. Five futures — filled with hope, ambition, and love — have been stolen in an instant.
As the investigation continues and the city mourns, the memory of Maurice Parrish, Sherise Parrish, Latianna King, Byron Towns, and De’Mario Craig will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved them. They were sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and dreamers. And they will not be forgotten.
May they rest in peace. And may their tragic loss serve as a reminder of both the fragility of life and the urgent need to protect it.