One Seriously Injured in I-65 Crash
Columbus-This afternoon, at approximately 1:05 p.m., the Indiana State Police responded to a three vehicle crash on I-65 southbound near the 67.5 mile marker that sent one driver to an Indianapolis hospital with possible life threatening injuries.
The initial investigation by Trooper Matt Holley indicated that due to a previous crash, southbound traffic near the 67.5 mile marker was slowed. A 2017 International truck pulling an empty tanker trailer driven by Shawn B. Beeman, age 36, North Vernon, Indiana was unable to slow to avoid the traffic that had slowed in front of his vehicle. Beeman’s vehicle collided with the rear box trailer of a 2007 International truck driven by Patrick R. Russell, age 54, Campbellsville, Kentucky. The force of the collision forced Russell’s vehicle into a 2011 Cadillac driven by Kelli J. Buckley, age 39, Trafalgar, Indiana.
As a result of the collision, Beeman became entrapped in his vehicle. The Columbus Fire Department responded to the scene and removed him from the vehicle. He was transported by ambulance to Columbus Regional Hospital before being transferred to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with possible head injuries. Russell and Buckley were not injured in the crash.
As a result of the collision, Russell’s trailer was ripped open, spilling part of his load of paper items on the roadway. Beeman’s fuel tanks ruptured during the collision, causing fuel to be spilled on the roadway.
The southbound lanes of I-65 were closed for approximately five hours for cleanup, reopening around 6:00 p.m. The northbound lanes of I-65 remained slow in the area during the crash investigation.
The investigation is ongoing.
Trp. Holley was assisted by other troopers with the Indiana State Police, officers from the Columbus Police Department, and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Columbus Fire Department, and Columbus Regional Hospital EMS.
-30- SGT. STEPHEN WHEELES
