Fair Oaks-This morning at approximately 2:05 a.m, the Indiana State Police at Lowell received a call of a semi/car crash on I-65 northbound near the 225 mile marker (that is 5 miles north of the Fair Oaks exit).
Preliminary investigation by Trooper Denny Simcoe has revealed that a black 2014 Dodge Avenger driven by Brandon Lee Joseph, 32 from Rensselaer, IN was northbound on the interstate. For an unknown reason, he ran into the left rear of a white 2013 International semi driven by John Flores, 42 from Hickory Hills, IL. The semi and trailer are owned by J.B. Hunt Transport out of Lowell, AR, The trailer was loaded with child car seats headed to Toys R Us in Joliet, IL.. The car got hooked under the trailer and as the semi pulled over to the side of the roadway, the car was dragged behind.
The car ignited which soon started the trailer on fire. Joseph was able to exit his car before it was fully engulfed. Flores was able to disconnect from the trailer and pull his semi out of harm’s way. Flores advised he had his seatbelt on but there were no indications Joseph was wearing one at the time of the crash. Alcohol is suspected of being a contributing factor in the crash. Joseph was taken to the Rensselaer Hospital with non life threatening injuries. Flores was uninjured in the crash. Charges may be forth coming but no arrests have been made at this time. The car, trailer and contents of the trailer appear to be a total loss. The Investigation is continuing.
Assisting at the scene was Indiana State Police Motor Carrier Division Trooper Tim Grayson, Troopers from the Lowell Post, Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, Demotte Police Department and Cheever’s Recovery. The interstate was shut down for about one and a half hours for treating of the injured, reconstruction and removal of the vehicles.
Picture is of the trailer with the car under the rear bumper after the fire was extinguished.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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