Jackson County: Yesterday afternoon a three semi crash closed I-65 for several hours. According to Master Trooper Tommy Walker, at approximately 2:20 yesterday afternoon a 2011 Freightliner semi tractor pulling a box trailer driven by 51 year old Russell Banta of Frenchburg, KY was southbound on I-65 near the 52 mile marker in the right lane and was stopped due to a traffic back up. A 2014 Freightliner semi tractor pulling a box trailer driven by 60 year old Michael McGinley of Taylor, GA was in the left lane next to Banta and was also stopped due to the same back up. A 2013 Freightliner semi tractor pulling a box trailer driven by 62 year old Martin Will of Milltown, IN was southbound and came through a curve and didn’t see the stopped traffic until it was too late and struck both stopped semis in the rear end. Will suffered knee and lower leg injuries and Banta suffered pain in the neck, back and shoulders. Will and Banta were transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour for treatment of their injuries. McGinley was not injured. The southbound I-65 was completely closed for about two hours as emergency crews cleaned up the scene. No charges have been filed as of yet but the crash remains under investigation.
M/Tpr. Walker was assisted at the scene by other troopers, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Seymour Fire Department, and Jackson County EMS.
