Seymour man struck, killed while walking on I-65

SCOTT COUNTY, Ind. – A Jackson County man was hit and killed while walking in the southbound lanes of Interstate 65 on Sunday, December 28.

SCOTT COUNTY, Ind. – A Jackson County man was hit and killed while walking in the southbound lanes of Interstate 65 on Sunday, December 28.

Just after 11:25 p.m., the driver of a southbound semi-tractor reported to 911 that he believed he had struck a pedestrian walking along the fog line near mile marker 35, just north of Austin. The driver immediately pulled to the shoulder and contacted authorities.

Deputies from the Scott County Sheriff’s Department and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office responded to search for a possible victim, but initially did not find anyone.

A short time later, a southbound SUV struck the pedestrian as he walked northbound in the driving lane about one-half mile north of the initial contact location. That driver also stopped right away and notified 911. Officers responded to the second crash scene and then requested that the Indiana State Police (ISP) investigate.

First responders transported the pedestrian, identified as Bryce Allen Sheaffer, 35, of Seymour, to Scott Memorial Hospital in Scottsburg, where he was pronounced deceased.

An ISP crash reconstructionist conducted the investigation. Preliminary findings indicate the semi-truck initially hit and grazed Sheaffer. The victim continued walking northbound against traffic and entered the driving lane, where he was struck by the SUV several minutes later.

Neither alcohol nor drugs is suspected as a factor with either driver. Southbound lanes of I-65 were closed for the investigation until around 4 a.m. Monday.