Full Notification

JACKSON COUNTY: This morning a two-vehicle crash on I-65 north of Seymour claimed the life of a motorcyclist. According to Indiana State Police Trooper Stephen Wheeles, at approximately 10:38 AM a gold 2007 Harley-Davidson motorcycle driven by a 58 year-old white male of Prospect Heights, Illinois was traveling south on I-65 WITHIN THE 54MM when it struck the rear of a white 2013 International semi-tractor and white 2012 Wabash box trailer operated by RICHARD E. GAVIN, 52 OF GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA. GAVIN and other motorists were stopped southbound in a traffic back-up due to Road construction at the 51mm. The white male was thrown from the motorcycle and pronouned dead on the scene. The name of the deceased is being with-held pending notification of next of kin.
This crash caused the I-65 southbound lanes to be shut down for several hours as a crash investigation was conducted. Traffic was backed up to the 53.5mm due to Road Construction (left-lane closed at 50mm). I would like to take this opportunity to issue a Travel Advisory to motorists to adhere to the "Watch For Stopped Traffic Ahead" signs and to pay particularly close attention to other motorists as you travel through Road Construction zones.
Trooper Wheeles was assisted at the crash site by Sgt. Brian Wilson, Master Trooper Tommy Walker Jr., Master Trooper David Meyer, Redding Township Volunteer Fire Department and Indiana Department of Transportation-Seymour.

UPDATE: The operator of the motorcycle is identified as JAMES P. McHUGH JR., 58, of Prospect Heights, Illinois. McHUGH was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.

Assisting at the crash site was Jackson County EMS and Jackson County Coroner's Office.