Greenwood, IN- A driver traveling SB in the NB lanes of I-65 at the 99.7 mm was killed early Friday afternoon, July 24th, after running head on into a NB semi-tractor trailer.
At approximately 1:00 p.m. Indiana state troopers were notified of personal injury crash on I-65 NB at the 99.7 mm (just north of the Greenwood Main Street Exit.) Arriving troopers found the wreckage engulfed in flames.
Preliminary investigation and witnesses statements reveal that a 2001 Dodge Ram pickup was traveling at a high rate of speed SB in the NB lane of I-65. The Dodge Ram was traveling in the NB left lane (passing lane.) This area of I-65 is under construction and has three lanes NB with a concrete median barrier separating SB traffic.
A 2015 Freightliner semi-tractor trailer, operated by Toby Klar, 50, of Nashville TN., was traveling NB in the middle lane. Information gained at the scene indicated the Dodge Ram abruptly turned into the path of the NB semi-tractor trailer causing a head on crash and the semi-tractor trailer to flip onto the passenger side. The semi-tractor trailer was hauling shelving and the load was not compromised. Klar was not injured.
The Dodge Ram continued SB and was struck by a passenger car before coming to rest against the concrete barrier wall and erupting in flames. The driver of the Dodge Ram was unable to escape and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Johnson County Coroner’s Office. Donald Whitney, 47, of Greenwood, the driver of a Ford Escape that struck the Dodge Ram, was transported to Methodist Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Two other vehicles involved in the crash sustained only property damage and neither the drivers nor passengers were injured.
The NB lanes of I-65 were closed while the wreckage was cleared.
Investigating Officers: Trooper Justin Hobbs, Sergeant Jason Miller, Trooper John Pang
Assisting Agencies: Greenwood Fire Department, Greenwood Police Department, Hix’s Wrecker Service, Johnson County Coroner’s Office.
