DEMOTTE (JASPER COUNTY)--
**FINAL UPDATE**
Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Martin Benner revealed that at approximately 8:43 a.m. a tractor-trailer being driven by Oleh Halatyma, 51 from Arlington Heights, IL., was in the south bound right lane of the construction zone of I-65 at the 226.8 mile marker. For unknown reasons the tractor drove into the right guardrail causing the front right front tire to deflate. The semi then side-swiped the outer concrete bridge before it drove off the right shoulder. The vehicle, a 2005 Volvo operating under the authority of Sunrise Highway LLC., Wheeling, IL., then overturned and came to rest in the west ditch. The trailer was loaded with 20,000 lbs. of powdered milk along with a fork-truck.
Further investigation from the crash indicated that the driver is alleged to have been nearly two times the legal limit for alcohol consumption. The driver consented to a certified chemical test which resulted in his testing .15% blood alcohol content as indicated by a certified breath test administered at the Jasper County Sheriff's Department. Halatyma was then booked into the Jasper County Jail and is being charged with Operating While Intoxicated, Disregarding a Traffic Control Device and Unsafe Lane Movement.
All lanes of I-65 southbound at mile marker 226.8 are now open. Expect continued delays as heavy traffic will be making its way south through this area. Assisting with the scene cleanup was Cheever's Towing and the Indiana Department of Transportation. An inspection of the vehicle will be completed by the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division of the Indiana State Police.
*All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.*
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Motorists are encouraged to use U.S. 41 southbound as an alternative route to I-65. The road is currently closed southbound at exit 230 and traffic is being diverted onto S.R. 10.
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On 5/8/17 at approximately 8:43 a.m., a tractor-trailer was south bound on I-65 at approximately the 226.8 mile marker. This is 3 miles south of S.R. 10 Demotte exit. Preliminary investigation shows that a semi was traveling south in the right shift lane as this is a consctruction zone. The semi made contact with the right guardrail causing a tire failure. The driver, Oleh Halatyma, 51 of Arlington Heights, IL., then lost control of the vehicle and drove into the right ditch where it overturned. (see attached photos). The driver was uninjured. The investigation is ongoing and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes as traffic on I-65 southbound is going to be diverted onto S.R. 10 for removal of the semi. Cheever's Towing is onscene and has started the recovery process. This process is fluid and is expecting to take approximately 2-3 hours until completion. Updates will be forthcoming.
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M/Trp. G. Fifield
Indiana State Police
District #13
