Fatal Crash on I-65; ISP Urges Motorists to Buckle Up, Slow Down, Back Off, and Use Signals

UPDATE: On Friday, October 5, 2007, at approximately 7:10 a.m., the Indiana State Police investigated a crash on I-65 north bound at the 258.5 mile marker involving three vehicles. The passenger and driver of one of these vehicles were ejected out of their car.  The passenger died at the scene.  Both the passenger and driver were not wearing their seat belts. Inside the same car was a 23 month old infant boy who was not ejected but was in a child safety seat.  Further investigation and witness statements reveal that this child was not only in a child safety seat but the seat was also belted into the car.  The child was treated at North Lake Hospital in Gary for minor cuts and abrasions.

LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA - On Friday, October 05, 2007, at approximately 7:10 a.m., Trooper Taylor Bryant responded to a multiple car crash on I-65 north bound at the 258.5 mile marker (this is a half a mile north of the U.S. 6/Ridge Road exit) which resulted in the death of a 23 year old female. 

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 1998 Ford Contour was in the left lane going north bound when he caught up with slower/stopping traffic in the construction area.  Witnesses stated that this same vehicle had been driving erratically and speeding prior to this.  As the Ford caught up with the slower/stopping traffic it tried to move to the middle lane losing control and hit a 1996 Saturn that was in front of it in the left lane.  This pushed the Saturn into the inner shoulder concrete barrier wall. 

The Saturn now out of control struck a 1999 Mercury Cougar that was in the right lane pushing it into the outer shoulder concrete barrier wall.  The Ford by this time was up on 2 wheels and flipped over ejecting the female passenger who was also struck by the Ford.  The driver of the Ford was also ejected onto the roadway.  A 23 month old child who was in a child safety seat but the seat was not belted in was not ejected.  The female passenger was pronounced dead at the scene by the Lake County Coroner.  Alcohol was a factor in this crash. 

Vehicle 1:  Black 1998 Ford Contour.  The vehicle was totaled.

Driver:  Eric S. Kilbourne, 25 of Gary, Indiana. Toxicology tests were performed and criminal charges are pending.  He was taken to North Lake Hospital in Gary with a severe laceration to his face and injuries to his neck, shoulder and leg. He was not wearing a seat belt.

Deceased:  Amanda J. Montgomery, 23 of Gary, Indiana.  She was pronounced dead at the scene of head and internal injuries.  She is not the mother of the infant child. She was not wearing a seat belt.

Infant:  23 month old male child.  He was taken to North Lake Methodist Hospital for abrasions and small cuts. The child was in a child safety seat but the seat was not belted in. 

Vehicle 2:  Gold 1996 Saturn SL2.  The vehicle had heavy damage to the passenger rear and front end.

Driver:  David E. Boynak Jr., 36 of Valparaiso, Indiana. He complained of neck pain. 

Vehicle 3:  Gold 1999 Mercury Cougar.  The vehicle had heavy damage to the driver’s side and the front end.

Driver:  Ephrem E. Casper, 26 of Merrillville, Indiana.  He was taken to Saint Mary’s Hospital in Hobart with back pain and minor cuts and abrasions.  He was wearing a seat belt.

All lanes of I-65 north bound were closed until approximately 11:00 a.m. when the left was re-opened for reconstruction of the crash, clean-up of the road and removal of injured, deceased and vehicles. 

Again it seems to be a sad ending for a situation where if the occupants of a vehicle had taken the time to buckle up the out come would have been much brighter.  The Indiana State Police would like to reiterate again that with construction comes construction related back ups.  Driving actions in a work zone can make a dramatic difference in your safety and in the safety of others.

Simply SLOW DOWN, BACK OFF, and USE YOUR SIGNALS!

Source: Indiana State Police

Technorati Tags: News Amanda J. Montgomery Crime / Police David E. Boynak Jr. Ephrem E. Casper Eric S. Kilbourne I-65 I-65 Crash I65 Indiana State Police ISP Transportation

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