Semi Tractor Trailer Loses Axle with Eight Tires on Interstate 69

PENDLETON, IN - At approximately 10:08 a.m. on Sunday, November 15,2009, Indiana State Police Master Trooper Al Willis responded to a report of a personal injury crash on Interstate 69 near the Pendleton exit at the 20 mile marker.  According to Master Trooper Willis a 2009 International Tractor Trailer driven by Jeffery L. Taylor, 43, Auburn Hills, Michigan was northbound on Interstate 69 when an axle with eight tires dropped off the trailer.   

Melissa N. Levi, 30, Indianapolis, was northbound in a 2007 GMC Envoy when she swerved to miss the axle and tires in the roadway and was struck from behind by a 2005 Freightliner driven by Robert L Jones, Jr. 47, Westland, Michigan.  This impact then pushed Levi’s vehicle into a 2007 Jeep Liberty driven by Pamela Marcoff, 54, Indianapolis.  The Jeep Liberty continued on and struck the axle and eight tires that had dropped off and landed in the middle of Interstate 69.   

The injured were all in the vehicle driven by Melissa N. Levi and were transported to St. John’s Hospital in Anderson.  Front seat passenger Deborah Levi, 54, Indianapolis was injured along with a six year old and a teenage passenger in the rear seat.  The condition of the four injured is not known at this time. 

Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers were on the scene and are presently inspecting the 2009 International Tractor Trailer to determine what caused the axle and eight tires to fall off.  The trailer was loaded with heavy paper rolls and will have to be off loaded at the scene.  As of 4:30 p.m. Interstate 69 has one lane open.  All of Interstate 69 was closed for 40 minutes.  All lanes of Interstate 69 should be reopened by 5:30 p.m. 

Master Trooper Willis was assisted at the scene by the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers. Also assisting was Trooper David Poynter, Trooper Scott Keegan, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, Pendleton PD, and Madison County Emergency Management.