Jackson County-At approximately 2:00 AM today, the Indiana State Police responded to a five vehicle traffic crash with injuries on I-65 northbound near the 46 mile marker. At approximately 3:00 AM, a secondary crash occurred northbound near the 45 mile marker in the backed up traffic from the first crash.
Initial investigation revealed that a 2014 Freightliner with a flatbed trailer, driven by Rashon Vaughn, 31, Birmingham, Alabama was traveling northbound on I-65 near the 46 mile marker. Vaughn’s vehicle approached a slowed Toyota Prius being driven by Jack Bower, 25, Chicago, Illinois. Vaughn’s vehicle collided with the rear of Bower’s vehicle. As a result of the collision, the Freightliner overturned, spilling a load of steel beams in the median and across the southbound lanes of I-65. Three vehicles traveling southbound struck the steel, causing damage to those vehicles. Bower and a passenger in his vehicle, Anna Machalski, 24, Chicago, Illinois, were transported to Schneck Medical Center, Seymour, Indiana with non-life threatening injuries. This crash is being investigated by Trp. Jamey Sperle.
Due to the lanes of I-65 being closed due to this crash, a second collision took place northbound near the 45 mile marker in the traffic backup. Initial investigation revealed that a 2012 Freightliner hauling a box trailer, driven by David Rankin, 58, Watha, NC was stopped in traffic when a 1992 Chevrolet Lumina, driven by Aaron Strotman, 26, Indianapolis, IN collided with the rear of Rankin’s trailer. Strotman was transported to Scott Memorial Hospital before being transferred to a Louisville hospital with non-life threatening injuries. This crash is being investigated by Trp. Kyle Stovall.
Due to both of these crashes and subsequent cleanups, I-65 was closed for approximately six hours.
Trps. Sperle and Stovall were assisted by Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, Sgt. Brian Wilson, Seymour and Crothersville Police Departments, Seymour and Crothersville Fire Departments, Jackson County EMS, INDOT, 31 Wrecker, Hampton's Wrecker, Howard's Wrecker, and Seymour Mack Wrecker.
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