Two Dead, Two Injured in Four Vehicle Crash on I-65 in Johnson County

INDIANAPOLIS, IN -  Indiana State Police responded to a four vehicle crash shortly after six this morning. The crash occurred on I-65 in the northbound lanes just north of the Whiteland exit. The crash kept the northbound lanes closed until 1:00 pm and had the southbound lanes restricted for about four hours. 

Preliminary investigation shows a south bound semi, pulling double trailers, struck a large wheel and tire which were in the south bound lanes of I-65. This caused the driver to lose control and travel through the median and into the north bound lanes. Three vehicles which were north bound then struck the second trailer of the south bound semi. The semi was being operated by FedEx. 

The first vehicle to strike the trailer was a 2003 Mercury SUV being driven by Vania Shields, a 33 year old paramedic from Franklin, who was employed by the Washington Township Fire Department. She was enroute to work when the crash occurred. The second vehicle, a 1998 Honda Civic, was being operated by Charles Gould III, from Whiteland. Mr. Gould was enroute to work at the Marion county Crime Lab. Both Shields and Gould were killed instantly according to Johnson County Coroner David Lutz. The third vehicle to strike the trailer was a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up being driven by 20 year old Robert Grant of Whiteland. Grant and a passenger, Jayme Mount, age 27 of Franklin, were transported to Methodist Hospital with unknown injuries. The driver of the semi, 40 year old Michael Sumner of Seymour, was uninjured. 

The State Police are continuing their investigation at this time as to where the wheel and tire that were in the south bound lanes came from. If anyone has information or witnessed any of the events leading to this crash please call the Indiana State Police at 800-582-8440. 

State Police were assisted at the scene by the Johnson County Coroner, Johnson County Sheriff’s Department, Whiteland Fire Department, and Indiana Department of Transportation.

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