BARTHOLOMEW CO., Ind. -- One person was killed and several hurt in an accident Wednesday afternoon on I-65 southbound near Columbus.
According to Indiana State Police traffic was already moving slowly because of an overturned semi on southbound I65 near the 64 mile marker. A second semi was slowed for the stopped traffic and a vehicle behind him was also slowed. State Police say a third vehicle, a tanker truck, was unable to stop for the slowed traffic and ran into the second vehicle, pushing it into the rear of the semi.
A passenger in the second vehicle, Melissa Morris, 47, of Nashville, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of that vehicle as well as a second passenger were both trapped for over an hour. They were both extricated from the vehicle and flown by Lifeline Helicopter to Indianapolis with life-threatening injuries.
The semi driver and the driver of the third vehicle were both taken to Columbus regional Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
I-65 SB was closed for four hours because of the crash and was reopened around 3:40 p.m.
Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in the crash which remains under investigation by Indiana State Police. No charges have been filed at this time.
