At approximately 10:16 a.m. Friday on I-65 southbound near the 176 mile marker (that is one mile north of the SR 25/175 exit) a vehicle lost control in the construction zone, hit the construction barrels and guard rail, bounced off the side of a semi-trailer then went head on into a concrete construction wall where it finally came to rest. All four of the occupants of the car were transported to local hospitals with various injuries.
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Tyler Bentlage revealed that a gray 2007 Honda driven by Rachel R. Samide, 17 of Indianapolis, was SB in the left lane when she apparently fell asleep, causing the vehicle to go off the left side of the roadway. The vehicle continued SB striking construction barrels before hitting the guard rail head on. The vehicle then veered right and struck the rear axle of a semi grain trailer; bouncing off of the trailer and then hitting the concrete construction wall head on where the vehicle finally came to rest. The blue 2004 International pulling the grain trailer driven by Darrell R. Collins, 59 of Winamac, continued down I-65 for about 100 yards before coming to a stop.
Collins was not injured in the crash. Samide suffered a possible fractured rib. The front seat passenger, Brandon A. Powell, 16 of Indianapolis, suffered cuts and bruises. The back seat passengers, Heaven L. Winston, 17 of Indianapolis, suffered a possible head fracture with multiple cuts and bruises and Devon J. Nelson, 18 of Indianapolis, suffered cuts and bruises. The front seat passengers appeared to be wearing seat belts but the back seat passengers were not. Samide and Winston were taken to Franciscan Hospital in Lafayette and Nelson and Powell were taken to IU Arnett Hospital in Lafayette.
The investigation is continuing. All families have been notified.