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Columbus – Five people were injured during a multi-vehicle crash that closed I-65 for several hours in Columbus.

Around 9:18 PM, Indiana State Police Trooper Seth Davidson responded to a personal injury crash in the south lanes of I-65 within the 65mm. The wreckage blocked the south lanes of I-65. Preliminary investigation indicates that a maroon 1998 Peterbilt tractor driven by Robert Young Jr. 65, of Jamestown, Ohio was traveling south on I-65 when it struck the rear of a green 1998 Chevy S-10 being driven by Richard Blum 62, of Goshen, Indiana. The green Chevy was pushed forward into the back of a gray 2013 Honda Civic that was operated by Erin Murphy 23, of Seymour, Indiana. Murphy’s car went forward and slammed into the rear of a green 2008 Peterbilt tractor 1999 Great Dane trailer combination being driven by Azrikam Yisrael 64, of Miami, Florida. Murphy’s car became lodged under the Great Dane trailer. The 1998 Peterbilt continued south on I-65 where it struck the rear of a white 2014 Freightliner double-trailer combination being driven by Nicholas Prewitt 52, of Seymour, Indiana. The 1998 Peterbilt came to rest across the lane divider wedged between the trailer of the 2014 Freightliner and the trailer of the 2008 Peterbilt. 

 Young was trapped in the tractor for some time and had to be extricated by Columbus Fire department personnel. He was flown by IU Health Lifeline helicopter to Indianapolis where he is being treated for serious injury to his lower extremities. Blum and his passenger, Linda Blum 61 of Goshen, Indiana were taken by ambulance to Columbus Regional Hospital where they each were treated for head lacerations. Murphy was taken by a guardian to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour where she was treated for facial lacerations. Yisrael was transported by ambulance to Columbus Regional Hospital as well where he was treated for head pain. Prewitt did not report any injury.

I-65 was closed for nearly three hours to attend to the injured and clear the crash wreckage.

The southbound left lane was closed at the time of this crash as a roving construction crew was making road repairs.

ISP Trooper Matt Holley was called to the scene to conduct a reconstruction of the crash. Trooper Holley was assisted at the scene by Trooper Brent Lykins, Columbus and Jonesville Fire Department, Columbus Police Department, Columbus Regional Hospital Ambulance, IU Health Lifeline helicopter, 31 Wrecker and the Seymour division of INDOT.