MERRILLVILLE | A Valparaiso woman suffered massive internal injuries in an alcohol-related crash early Friday in which she was driving the wrong way on Interstate 65, Indiana State Police said.
State Police Sgt. Ann Wojas said that Jennifer Meece, 36, was driving a 1997 Ford Escort northbound in the southbound right lane of I-65 about a mile north of the U.S. 30 exit. At about 2:15 a.m. she struck head-on a 1996 Chevrolet Caprice driven by Guy Vafiadis, 55, of Merrillville.
Vafiadis told police he didn't remember seeing a vehicle and it's unknown if Meece's headlights were on.
Meece was transported to Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus in Merrillville. State Police said Meece was cited for operating while intoxicated and driving the wrong way on a one way. Further charges are pending a toxicology report.
Vafiadis was taken to Methodist's Southlake Campus with a fractured jaw and ankle.
Wojas cited the crash to warn against the dangers of drinking and driving over the Fourth of July weekend.
