Wednesday at approximately 7:00 am, Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post began investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred on I-65 Southbound at Exit 55 in northern Jackson County that claimed the life of an Indianapolis, man.
The initial investigation indicated that a gold 2004 Mitsubishi passenger car, being driven by Jacob T. Peelman, 19, of Indianapolis, was traveling south on I-65 approaching exit 55. Peelman’s vehicle traveled from the southbound lanes of I-65 onto the southbound exit ramp to enter State Road 11. His vehicle then continued onto the right shoulder of the exit ramp.
Peelman’s vehicle struck the rear of a parked white 2019 Wabash trailer that was being pulled by a white 2019 Freightliner truck. The operator of the Freightliner, Anthony C. Ward, 63, of St. Louis, Missouri was in his cab at the time of the collision.
Peelman sustained fatal injuries in the collision. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jackson County Coroner’s Office. Ward was not injured in the crash.
The investigation is ongoing. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in the crash although toxicology tests are pending.
The exit ramp from I-65 Southbound to State Road 11 was closed for approximately three hours for crash investigation and cleanup.
The Indiana State Police was assisted at the scene by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Jackson County EMS, Seymour Fire Department, Hamilton Township Fire Department, Jackson County Coroner’s Office, and 31 Wrecker Service.
