MATTESON, Ill. – Karl Carter, a 54-year-old semi-truck driver from Matteson, Illinois, tragically lost his life in a fiery crash on Wednesday afternoon on Interstate 65 in Indiana.
According to the Indiana State Police, the incident occurred just before 2:30 p.m. between the Indiana 28/Frankfort and Indiana 47/Thorntown exits.
The collision took place when Olner Michel, 43, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, lost control of his southbound rig, veered off the road, and drove through the median into the northbound lanes, striking Carter’s semi head-on. The impact caused a fire that engulfed both vehicles, resulting in Carter’s untimely death at the scene, while Michel was rescued by an Indiana State Trooper who arrived on the scene and provided medical aid until paramedics arrived.
Michel was subsequently taken to an Indianapolis hospital, and his current condition remains unknown, according to the police. Additionally, a car driven by a man from Indianapolis was struck by one of the steel barrier cables that snapped from Michel’s rig as it crashed into the median. Thankfully, the car’s driver escaped unharmed.
The northbound lanes of Interstate 65 were closed for several hours Wednesday as authorities investigated the crash.
The crash remains under investigation with Indiana State Police.
