Jasper County-A multiple semi crash has closed all lanes of south bound I-65 and one lane of north bound I-65 at the 205 mile marker (this is the Remington exit).
Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Martin Benner revealed at approximately 5:12a.m., this morning, a 2007 Freightliner, Noble Line Enterprise, out of Lawrenceville, Georgia, loaded with 50,000 pounds of auto parts and driven by Mulugeta M. Woldeyes. 50 of Atlanta, Georgia was in the right lane going south bound when he was entering a construction zone. This is a well posted construction zone, with numerous advance signage warnings of the upcoming construction, reduce speed signs etc. There is a lane jog to the left, no shoulders and concrete barrier walls in place with yellow reflectors on the barrier walls.
Woldeyes for unknown reasons did not jog to the left, continued straight, and hit the concrete barrier wall with his tractor’s passenger side, causing him to jack-knife across both south bound lanes. Woldeyes’ trailer rode up on top of the concrete barrier wall to the right and his tractor hit the concrete barrier wall to the left pushing the barrier into the left lane on the north bound I-65 side.
A 1998 Freightliner, owned by Mr Bills Common Contract Incorporated out of Belvidere, Illinois, loaded with 7.000 pounds of insulation board, driven by Paul Styvinski, 48 of Arlington Heights. Illinois, was behind Woldeyes semi. Styvinski hit the debris thrown out by Woldeyes, jack-knifed, and came to rest in the right lane.
A 2015 Freightliner, owned by J.B. Hunt out of Lowell, Arkansas, and driven by Kerry Kirkenvall, 54 of Gages Lake, Illinois was north bound on I-65 in the left lane hit the concrete barrier wall Goldeyes pushed out into the north bound left lane. He came to rest in the right lane and north bound entrance ramp to I-65 from Remington.
All semi’s were towed from the scene by Farney’s Towing. All drivers were not injured. No loads were loss at the scene. South bound I-65 will be closed for extended period of time for clean-up and removal of the semis. North bound I-65 right lane is open at this time, the construction company is working to open the left lane north bound and it should be open shortly.
Woldeyes was cited for disregarding a traffic control device.
Assisting: Troopers from the Lowell State Police, Farney’s Towing, and Indiana Department of Transportation
If traveling south bound on I-65 in this area, please seek alternate routes, traffic is being diverted off at the 205 mile marker. Expect delays and back-ups in this area.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Pictures are of the scene
