Tippecanoe County-Today at approximately 1:10 p.m. on I-65 NB near the 164 mile marker (that is four miles south of SR 38/168 exit), the driver of a semi apparently fell asleep causing the crash that has shut down the interstate for about three hours.
Trooper Ben Rector reports that a green 2007 Freightliner owned by Nationwide Truck Brokers out of Grand Rapids, MI and was driven by Tim E. Wright, 50 of Zion, IL was loaded with bottled water. Traveling in the left lane, it is reported that Wright had apparently fallen asleep, drifted off the left side of the roadway, woke up and saw he was heading for the bridge. He tried to swerve but struck the bridge wall causing the trailer to jack knife, blocking the entire NB lanes.
A black 1999 Kenworth owned by Cambre Trucking Inc. out of Rensselaer, IN was pulling a diesel tanker for Country Mark also out of Rensselaer and driven by Lloyd M. Moore, 48 of Lake Village, IN was traveling behind the crash. Unable to get stopped to avoid the crash, he drove through the trailer spreading water bottles all over the roadway, and came to rest next to the Freightliner which had caught on fire. Wright was able to exit the truck fire with no injuries. Moore exited his truck and attempted to put the fire out with his extinguisher. Having no success, he re-entered his Kenworth, and was successful in driving his truck and trailer loaded with diesel away from the fire.
NB left lane has now been opened. Traffic is backed up for several miles. Use alternate route by exiting off at the SR 28/158 exit. Go west to US 52 and go right or north till you get to SR 38 in Lafayette which is about 10 miles. Go right or east till you get back to I-65 and re-enter the interstate. Right lane will be closed for several more hours for cleanup and removal of the semi rigs.
Assisting agencies was Indiana Department of Natural Resources enforcement division, Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department, Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, Sheffield Township Fire Department, Wea Township Fire Department, INDOT and Jim’s Wrecker Service.
Suspects are innocent till proven guilty in a court of law.
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