I-65 Head-On Crash Sends One to Hospital
Interstate Closed Northbound at 19 Mile Marker
Scott County - On Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at approximately 6:19pm, officers from the Indiana State Police in Sellersburg responded to a report of a Personal Injury crash northbound on I-65 in Scott County near the 27 mile marker.
A preliminary investigation reveals that a black 2009 Toyota Corolla driven by Charles Oatten, 20, of Westland, Michigan, was traveling southbound on I-65 approaching the 27 mile marker when the vehicle lost control for an unknown reason. The vehicle travelled off the east side of the roadway, crossing over the median and entered the northbound lanes of I-65. The vehicle then struck a northbound 2013 Kenworth Semi-truck driven by Randy Wolke, 58, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota. After striking the semi-truck the vehicle crossed into the right-hand lane and struck the rear tandem wheels of a 2015 Peterbilt driven by Michael Smith, 23, of Indianapolis. The Toyota was pushed north approximately 100 feet and came to rest in the median of I-65.
Charles Oatten was flown to U of L Hospital in Louisville, KY and is currently listed in critical condition. No other drivers were injured in the crash.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. I-65 Northbound is currently closed at the 19 mile marker and traffic is being diverted north on US 31 to Scottsburg.
The Indiana State Police were assisted by units from the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, and units from the Scottsburg Fire Department.
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