One person died and two were injured in a two-vehicle accident in the construction zone in the northbound lanes of I-65 at 4:45 p.m. Saturday.
The accident, at mile marker 67, occurred when the driver of a Pontiac G5 was backing up, traveling south in the left northbound lane toward a crossover, when it was struck by an SUV traveling north in the left lane of the interstate, resulting in the Pontiac catching fire. The Pontiac driver was pronounced dead at the scene and positive identification is still pending, Columbus police said.
The driver of the SUV, Vanessa Rosborough, 31, Indianapolis, was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital for non-threatening injuries. A passenger with Rosborough, Emily McNiff, 28, Fishers, was transported by Lifeline helicopter to Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, and her condition was not available at press deadline.
Northbound lanes of I-65 was closed for nearly four hours after the accident. Columbus firefighters sent three engines to the scene and a rescue squad, and requested additional water to put out the flames in the fully-engulfed Pontiac.
Columbus police, Indiana State Police and Columbus firefighters were all at the scene and an investigation is continuing, police said.
