Courtesy of INDOT
BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY/JACKSON COUNTY–The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) reported that Interstate 65 was shut down between the Bartholomew County in Jackson County exits on Tuesday morning, December 9.
At approximately 7:50 a.m., A semi carrying approximately 300 howitzer artillery rounds caught fire, and an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was required to render the material/scene safe. The flames did not come into contact with the inside of the trailer or the shells.
Traffic was at a standstill for almost four hours while the hazardous material was removed from the roadway. The Army EOD team was able to successfully remove the explosive shells and then transport both the howitzer shells and the semi to Camp Atterbury safely.
During the traffic backup from the interstate closure, a crash with serious injuries occurred near the 67-mile marker between 350 S and Carr Hill Rd, just south of Columbus. Lifeline Helicopters had to transport one person with serious injuries. Their condition is currently unknown at this time.
ORIGNAL STORY
The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) reported at 7:50 Tuesday morning that Interstate 65 is shut down in both directions from Exit 64 in Bartholomew County to Exit 55 in Jackson County at Mile Marker 64.2.
A semi carrying explosive material caught fire, and it will take some time to render the material/scene safe.
The approximate timeline for reopening I-65 is four hours. Crews are rerouting drivers to US-11 or US-31.
Additionally, traffic is also closed on I-65 near the intersection of Redding Road and IN 11 (4 miles north of the Seymour area). The road is closed due to a four-vehicle crash. All lanes are closed in the northbound direction of travel. That portion of the road is expected to reopen soon.
8:12 a.m. UPDATE: The semi is carrying approximately 300 howitzer rounds. An Army EOD team is en route to render the munitions safe.
9:45 a.m. UPDATE: According to Sgt Wheeles with ISP, all lanes of I-65 Southbound near the 67 mile marker between 350 S and Carr Hill Rd, just south of Columbus, are closed due to a crash with serious injuries. This crash occurred on the backup from the previous interstate closure. Lifeline Helicopters are en route to the scene.
10:50 a.m. UPDATE: According to ISP, at the 67-mile marker, one lane has reopened while crews continue cleaning up the crash.
All southbound traffic is still being diverted at exit 64 due to the earlier vehicle fire with hazardous materials.
UPDATE 11:30 a.m.: According to ISP, all lanes of I-65 are now being opened between the 55-mile marker in northern Jackson County and the 64-mile marker in Bartholomew County following the semi-truck fire from earlier this morning involving hazardous material.
I-65 Southbound near the 67-mile marker near Columbus remains down to one lane following a personal injury crash that occurred in the backup.
