The communities of Lowell and DeMotte are mourning the heartbreaking loss of 19-year-old Marjorie Rottier, whose life was tragically cut short in a devastating multi-vehicle crash on State Road 10 in Jasper County. Family members, friends, and loved ones are struggling to come to terms with the sudden tragedy, which claimed the life of a young woman with her future still ahead of her. The fatal collision occurred Monday afternoon and left several other people injured, prompting a large emergency response and an ongoing investigation.
According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, the crash happened at approximately 12:17 p.m. near County Road 1100 West. Investigators reported that a 2013 Ford Fusion driven by 26-year-old Kiana Bessette of Wheatfield was traveling eastbound when it struck the rear of a 2006 Mini Cooper driven by Marjorie Rottier. At the time of the collision, Rottier was traveling with two juvenile passengers. The impact was severe and set off a chain reaction involving multiple vehicles.
Authorities said the force of the crash pushed Rottier’s Mini Cooper into the westbound lane, where it was struck by a 2024 Ford F-150 driven by 45-year-old Lori Asztalof of Lowell. Investigators further stated that the Ford Fusion continued traveling eastbound and then collided with a 2019 Ford Flex driven by 64-year-old Penny Diehl of Rensselaer, who was traveling with two juvenile passengers. Witness statements and evidence gathered at the scene are being reviewed as officials work to determine all factors that contributed to the crash.
Emergency crews from several agencies rushed to the scene and found extensive damage to the vehicles involved. Firefighters from the Keener Township Fire Department assisted in rescuing trapped occupants while EMS personnel provided urgent medical care. Due to adverse weather conditions, air medical transport could not be used, requiring all injured victims to be transported by ground ambulance to trauma centers in Crown Point, Indiana, and Kankakee, Illinois. Authorities noted that all occupants were wearing seat belts and that airbags deployed during the collision.
Despite the efforts of first responders, Marjorie Rottier suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passing has left a profound impact on her family and the wider community. At only 19 years old, she was beginning adulthood, a stage of life filled with hopes, dreams, and opportunities. Those who knew her are remembering not the tragedy that took her life, but the memories she created and the relationships she built with those around her.
The roadway remained closed for an extended period as investigators carefully documented evidence and reconstructed the crash scene. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the Indiana State Police and the Jasper County Coroner’s Office, continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. While authorities work to uncover answers, family and friends are left mourning the loss of Marjorie Rottier, whose life ended far too soon but whose memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those who loved her.
