One Killed in Crash on Interstate 69

MADISON COUNTY, IN -  This morning around 8:45 a.m., Vernon R. Miller, 60, Toledo, Illinois, was northbound on Interstate 69 just south of the Pendleton exit (17 mile marker) when he lost control of a 2007 Freightliner semi tractor trailer he was driving.  After Miller lost control of the semi it crossed over the median and through the steel tension wires that run down the median of Interstate 69.   The tractor trailer continued northbound in the southbound lanes of Interstate 69 as southbound traffic on Interstate 69 attempted to avoid the semi heading directly toward them.   

After traveling approximately 400 feet northbound in the southbound lanes the tractor separated from the trailer and the trailer continued traveling northbound in the southbound passing lane of Interstate 69. The separated tractor ended up facing back southbound in the median. Natalie Stoner, 55, Pendleton, was southbound in a 2005 Chevrolet Impala and was able to avoid striking the trailer.  The debris from the trailer caused her to lose control and slide into the median of Interstate 69. She was not injured.  Chris D. Ransom, 60, Muncie, was southbound on Interstate 69 driving a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo and was unable to avoid the collision.  Ransom’s 2008 Chevrolet Aveo slid under the trailer and he was killed in the crash.   

Indiana State Police Crash Reconstructionists and Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers are investigating the crash.  At this time it is unknown what caused Miller to lose control of the tractor trailer. Miller was enroute from Mattoon, Illinois to Muncie.  The trailer was loaded with car batteries and registered to Rural King Farm Supply. Miller was taken to St. Vincent Medical Center North located on Interstate 69 and State Road 238 in Fishers for a blood draw as standard procedure in fatal crashes.  He was not injured in the crash. Traffic on southbound Interstate 69 was rerouted for approximately five hours due to the crash and reopened at 2 p.m.   

Deceased:  Chris D. Ransom, 60, Muncie

Relatives have been notified.

 

Investigating Indiana State Police Officers:  Master Trooper Jeff Franklin, Senior Trooper Aaron Gaul, Master Trooper Ed Davis, Sergeant Jeff Taylor, Detective Paul Hansard (Reconstructionist), Senior Trooper Amy Gaul Motor Carrier Enforcement, Sergeant Tyler Utterback (Commercial Vehicle Enforcement), Trooper Scott Keegan (Reconstructionist), Aaron Dague (Commercial Vehicles), and Toni Hanson (Commercial Vehicles).  Scene:  Pendleton Fire and Rescue, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, Madison County Emergency Management

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