Shelby County, IN- Thursday afternoon, October 11th, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Indiana State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on I-74 EB at the 105mm. (just east of the London Road exit) that killed the driver of a semi-tractor trailer.

Preliminary investigation revealed that that Tharen J. White, 71, of Carmel was driving a 2012 Chevrolet Impala EB on I-74 at the 105mm in the left lane. According to evidence at the scene and witness statements, a semi-tractor trailer that was in the right lane east bound next to White’s vehicle crossed the centerline and side swiped the passenger car.

The driver of the semi over corrected to the right, crossed the roadway, and sideswiped a guard rail. The driver steered back to the left, crossed the roadway again and slid sideways into the median. The semi-tractor turned onto its side causing the tanker trailer to flip over and land onto the EB roadway.  The tanker, full of diesel fuel, immediately ignited and engulfed the tractor and trailer.
The semi-driver was unable to escape and died at the scene.

White’s passenger car came to rest in the median next to the tractor trailer. He was able to escape before the passenger car became engulfed in flames. White was not injured.

Trooper William Gannon stated that investigators hope to determine the semi-drivers identity at an autopsy that is scheduled for tomorrow.

Due to the extreme heat of the fire and diesel spill representatives for the Indiana Department of Transportation and Indiana Department of Environmental Management are expecting roadway repair and drainage ditch cleanup to take several hours and do not anticipate opening the EB lanes of I-74 until late tomorrow morning.

I-74 EB traffic is being detoured onto London Road at the 105 mm. and south on North Michigan Road to the 109 mm exit. Motorists will be able to enter EB I-74 at the 109mm.