On Sunday, July 8th, 2018 at approximately 11:22 AM (CST), La Porte County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were dispatched to a personal injury crash at the intersection of State Road 8 and CR 875 West. The crash investigation conducted by deputies determined a green 2007 Volkswagon passenger vehicle had been traveling north on CR 875 West. The passenger vehicle failed to yield to a 2014 Peterbilt semi-tractor that was traveling east on State Road 8. The semi-tractor struck the passenger vehicle in the intersection forcing it off the roadway and into a ditch.
Both occupants of the passenger vehicle were injured and transported via air ambulance to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. Investigating deputies later learned the 17 year-old driver, Rhyann SIKORA, died at the hospital. The passenger of the vehicle, a juvenile, remains hospitalized. The driver of the semi-tractor was not injured. The occupants of the passenger vehicle and the semi-tractor were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash.
Sheriff’s Office Deputies were assisted at the scene by La Porte County EMS and the La Crosse Volunteer Fire Department.