One dead after semi hits pedestrian on I-65 in Scott County

SCOTT COUNTY — An early morning crash on I-65 turned deadly this morning when the driver was struck after exiting his car.

Around 2:50 a.m. Monday, 911 calls reported a semi-truck had struck a person in the roadway on I-65 northbound near the 33 mile-marker, just south of the Austin exit. Austin Indiana Police and Indiana State Troopers were the first to arrive on-scene. When officers arrived, they found 25-year-old Stefan Porch of Matteson, Illinois, deceased after being struck by a northbound semi-truck. Officers then requested an Indiana State Police crash reconstruction team to assist in the investigation.

After the preliminary investigation, investigators believe Stefan Porch was northbound in a silver 2020 Kia Forte with five passengers. The Kia then collided with a second vehicle, possibly the rear of a northbound tractor-trailer or box truck. At this time, it appears the second vehicle did not stop and continued from the scene. The Forte came to a stop in the roadway, and Stefan Porch exited the car. As Stefan Porch left the vehicle, he stepped into the path of a northbound semi-truck. The driver of the semi was unable to avoid striking Porch, state police said. The semi was driven by Barbaro Trizan Cuellar, of Louisville, Kentucky, who was uninjured in the crash.

All passengers in the car were taken by ambulance to Scott Memorial hospital for any possible injuries from the initial crash. No significant injuries were reported.

The driver of the semi was not injured.

This crash is still under investigation. Anyone with information regarding the second vehicle is asked to contact the Indiana State Police Sellersburg Post.