- On Monday, August 14, 2017 at approximately 7:07 AM the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police and the Scott Township Volunteer Fire Department responded to the area of I-69 north of Boonville-New Harmony Road upon report of a major traffic crash involving a tractor trailer and multiple vehicles.
On scene investigation and witness statements indicated that a white Frieghtliner tractor trailer had been traveling southbound on I-69 prior to colliding with a line of stopped vehicles in a construction zone. The tractor trailer first collided with a grey 2004 Toyota 4Runner SUV, setting off a chain reaction that resulted in an additional five vehicles being struck. An International tractor trailer, a gold 2014 Chevrolet Captiva SUV, a red 2001 Chevrolet sedan, a red 1998 Dodge Stratus and a maroon 1997 Chrysler Concorde were all involved. An eighth vehicle, a red 2015 Chrysler 200 sedan, was struck by debris.
A total of three (3) drivers were transported to the hospital by ambulance. One driver sustained a head injury and is currently undergoing treatment.
Southbound I-69 was closed for nearly four hours for investigation and clean-up. A quad-copter from the Evansville-Vanderburgh Emergency Management Agency was used to take aerial photographs and video of the scene, which occupied a nearly one-quarter mile stretch of southbound I-69.
Pursuant to state law regarding crashes involving serious bodily injury or death, the drivers of all the vehicles consented to a post-crash blood draw. The cause of the crash remains under investigation pending a full crash reconstruction and toxicology results.
The driver of the white Frieghtliner tractor trailer was identified as Mr. Joel Ramirez, 44, of Louisville, KY.
Pictured above: 2004 Toyota 4Runner struck by the Freightliner.
Pictured above: Crash scene on I-69.
On Monday, August 14, 2017 at approximately 7:07 AM the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police and the Scott Township Volunteer Fire Department responded to the area of I-69 north of Boonville-New Harmony Road upon report of a major traffic crash involving a tractor trailer and multiple vehicles.
