At approximately 11 p.m. Tuesday, a multi-vehicle crash closed all lanes of I-65 at the 228 mile-marker for several hours.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Israel Rosillo shows that north bound traffic on I-65 had come to a stop for a lane closure. This was a scheduled lane closure for road construction in the area of the 230 mile-marker. The right lane was being closed by an arrow-board as well as traffic barrels. A tractor and double trailer was northbound and the driver failed to see the slow/stopped traffic ahead.
The tractor-trailer, which was loaded with freight, was registered to U.P.S. and driven by Richard Turner, 56, from Cincinnati, OH. The investigation showed that the semi struck a 2015 Land Rover driven by Geoffrey Minger, 30, from Chicago, IL. Minger told Troopers at the scene that he saw in his mirror the semi approaching his vehicle from the rear at a high rate of speed. Minger took evasive action and pulled out of his lane in an attempt to elude the oncoming semi. This action resulted in a less sever collision with the Land Rover. However, the semi continued and crashed into a third vehicle that was stopped in traffic. This impact caused three other vehicles to crash into each other. The semi then went into the median and rolled coming to a rest blocking the south bound lanes. The northbound lanes were also blocked as a result of the initial impact.
I-65 was closed until 5 a.m. for crash investigation as well as cleanup of the scene by Cheever’s Towing. Listed below are the driver’s involved and vehicle descriptions. Drivers were transported to several local hospitals for treatment.
D1: Richard Turner, 61, Cincinnati, OH; V1: Brown 2013 Mack semi and double trailer owned by U.P.S.
D2: Geoffrey Minger, 30, Chicago, IL; V2: Beige 2015 Land Rover
D3: Matthew Chalik, 36, Hobart, IN; V3: Silver 2012 Hyundai Sonata
D4: Einnhoj Ford, 26, Indianapolis, IN; V4: Maroon 2008 Chrysler Town and Country
D5: Chong, Wiitanen, 34, Hampshire, IL V5: Blue/Blk 2018 Toyota Camry
D6: Alexander Nicksic-Goodall, 29, Indianapolis, IN; V6: UPS Ground Freight Trailer (No tractor info available)