Wrong Way Driver Killed in Crash on I-65
Johnson County, IN- Late Monday evening, March 4th, at 10:33 p.m., Indiana State Police responded to a two vehicle head on crash on I-65 SB at the 85 mm that killed an Indianapolis man.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Lee Wayne Oliphant, 67, of Indianapolis was driving his Chevrolet Astro van north bound in the south bound lanes of I-65 at the 85 mm and struck a 2009 Volvo semi-tractor trailer head on. The van erupted into flames upon impact.
Mr. Oliphant was pronounced dead at the scene by the Johnson County Coroner’s Office.
The family has been notified.
The driver of the semi-tractor, Mark A. Thornberry, 59, of Indianapolis, was transported to St. Francis Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
I-65 north and south bound lanes were closed while the crash was investigated and the wreckage removed. Haz-Mat teams were called to the scene to recover spilled oil and diesel from the wreckage.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Department diverted traffic at the 90 mm and the Edinburgh Police Department diverted traffic at the 80 mm. Both detours removed traffic to US 31.
The NB lanes were opened at 4:00 a.m. and the SB lanes were opened at 5:54 a.m.
Investigating Officer- Trooper Brian Snyder, Indiana State Police
Assisting Agencies- Johnson Co. Sheriff’s Department, Edinburgh Police Department, Shelby Co. EMS, Johnson Co. Fire, Indiana Department of Transportation.
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All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
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