Crash on Interstate 65 claims the life of a semi driver

CLINTON CO. – On Wednesday, April 19, just before 2:30 p.m., the Indiana State Police and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a three-vehicle fatal crash on I-65 near the 152-mile marker.

A preliminary investigation by Trooper Wiley revealed that a 2016 Freightliner, pulling a trailer, was traveling southbound on Interstate 65 near the 152-mile marker.

For an unknown reason, the 2016 Freightliner went off the east side of the road, through the median, and into the northbound lanes. At that time, a 2022 Freightliner, pulling a trailer, was traveling northbound and was struck by the 2016 Freightliner, which was traveling southbound. Both Freightliners became engulfed in flames.

The first trooper that arrived at the scene was able to locate the driver of the 2016 Freightliner. The trooper provided medical aid to the driver until EMS arrived. That driver was transported to an Indianapolis area hospital by EMS, and their condition is unknown.

Further investigation revealed when the 2016 Freightliner went through the cable barrier, the cable barrier broke and struck a 2016 Mazda 6. The Mazda was being driven by Sean Samuels, 50, from Indianapolis. Samuels was uninjured in the crash.

The driver of the 2022 Freightliner was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash by the Clinton County Coroner. The driver’s name is being withheld pending identification and the notification to the next of kin.

Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction was assisted on the scene by troopers from the Lafayette Post, Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton County Coroner’s Office, Frankfort Fire Department, Perry Township Fire Department, Clinton County EMS, INDOT, Zore’s Towing, and Bob’s Towing.