A multi-vehicle crash on I-65 Monday night killed a truck driver, closing the interstate.  Indiana State Police report the roadway will remain closed most of the day today (Tuesday).  Troopers responded to crash about 10 pm in the southbound lanes at the 218 mile-marker. The location is two miles south of the Fair Oaks exit and three miles north of Rensselaer.  Police reported the investigation shows that traffic on I-65 was slowed for construction that was taking place in the area.

A red bobtail tractor was stopped in traffic in the right lane when a blue semi-truck/trailer approached from behind at a high rate of speed. In an attempt to avoid a collision with the stopped red bobtail tractor, the driver of the blue semi took evasive action by swerving into the median, where the truck struck a cable barrier. Following closely behind the blue semi, another semi-truck/trailer—also traveling at high speed—was unable to stop in time and collided with the rear of the stationary red bobtail tractor. The impact caused both the red bobtail tractor and the semi-truck/trailer to catch fire. The driver of the semi-truck/trailer was trapped inside the vehicle and died at the scene. The driver has not yet been identified. The driver of the red bobtail tractor managed to escape the vehicle before it was fully engulfed in flames.

As a result of the crash, all southbound lanes of I-65 were blocked, and the interstate had to be shut down for crash investigation and vehicle removal. During the scene cleanup, the contents of one of the trucks, peat moss, continued to catch on fire hindering the cleanup process. Due to the fire, the roadway surface sustained significant damage and will need to be replaced before the roadway reopens.

The roadway remains closed with traffic being diverted at S.R. 14 (exit 220). Motorists are encouraged to seek alternative routes, those routes being S.R. 55, U.S. 41 or U.S. 231.

94.1 WGFA