This morning at approximately 6:45 am, the Indiana State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on I-65 northbound near the 51 mile marker that resulted in a lengthy closure of I-65 after a tractor trailer overturned and caught fire.
The initial investigation by Trp. Seth Davidson indicated that a 2017 Freightliner hauling a box trailer, being driven by Gary L. Garza, age 61, Girard, Ohio was traveling northbound in the right lane of I-65 near the 51 mile marker. Garza’s vehicle changed lanes into a northbound 2012 Ford Escape being driven by Juan Soto, age 57, Griffin, GA. Soto’s vehicle was pushed into the guardrail in the median of I-65 before coming to a stop. Garza’s vehicle struck a guardrail and concrete bridge barrier before it overturned in the middle of the northbound lanes of I-65 and caught fire.
Both Garza and a 60 year old male passenger were able to escape the commercial motor vehicle before it was fully engulfed with flames. The passenger was transported by ambulance to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana for treatment of smoke inhalation. Soto and a 14 year old female passenger in his vehicle were transported to Schneck Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The commercial motor vehicle and trailer were destroyed by the fire. The trailer contained general merchandise for QVC.
As a result of the collision, the northbound lanes of I-65 were closed for approximately 7.5 hours for crash investigation and road repair. During the closure, traffic was diverted at the Uniontown exit to US 31.
The crash remains under investigation but drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors in the crash.
The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Seymour Police Department, Seymour Fire Department, Redding Township Fire Department, Hamilton Township Fire Department, Jackson-Washington Township Fire Department, Indiana Department of Transportation, E & B Paving, and 31 Wrecker Service.
