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Driver Identified In Fatal Crash Near Columbus

Last updated on Thursday, March 13, 2014

(BARTHOLOMEW CO.) - A major rear-end crash Tuesday night on the interstate took the life of a driver, whom state police identified the next morning.

The two-car crash happened just after 8 p.m. on northbound Interstate 65 just south of the U.S. 31 Taylorsville exit, troopers with Indiana State Police said.

ISP investigators said Michael L. Otte, 56, of Whiteland, Ind., was headed north on I-65 when his car struck the rear end of a semi. The semi had been stopped in traffic that was backed up after another crash.

ISP said Otte was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The driver of the semi was unhurt.

Investigators believe Otte may not have been paying close enough attention, as the approach to the traffic backup was flat (not on a hill) with a long sight of distance. ISP said the emergency flashers on the semi were also enabled.

The crash closed northbound I-65 for roughly 2 hours.

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