Jasper County-Last night at approximately 11:39 p.m. (CST) on I-65 southbound near the 227 mile marker (that is three miles south of Roselawn exit at the 230 mm) a vehicle had slowed for a previous crash and was rear ended by a second vehicle killing three occupants.
Preliminary investigation by Corporal Mike Jones of the Lowell State Police Post has revealed that a 2003 Volvo semi leased to Expressway Trucking from Battle Ground WA. The Volvo was pulling a 1998 Utility box trailer loaded with over 28,000 pounds of apples was driven by Nikolay Kachur, 31, Battle Ground, WA, was slowed in the right lane for a previous crash. A gray 2008 Toyota Sequoia driven by Doctor Mallik Chaganti, 45, Rensselaer, IN, failed to slow for the slowed traffic and rear ended the Utility semi-trailer. The impact killed Chaganti and his son and daughter that were passengers in the Sequoia. A third passenger, a young boy believed to be Chaganti’s son was injured in the crash. He had to be extricated from the vehicle and was transported to Jasper Memorial Hospital with what appears to be non-life threatening injuries.
Kachur was not injured. The trailer received damage to the rear and was towed from the scene. The Sequoia was a total loss. Neither alcohol nor drugs are suspected of being contributing factors to the crash. The investigation is continuing.
Assisting at the scene was Indiana State Police Motor carrier Division, Troopers from the Lowell State Police Post and the Jasper County Coroner’s Office.
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Media note: The names of the children will be released by the Coroner's Office when proper identification is made.
All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Picture one is of the rear of the semi and the Toyota Sequoia.
