Semi rollover closes southbound I-65; drivers should use U.S. 41
Drivers are being urged to avoid southbound I-65 near the SR 10 exit. An overturned semi truck has all lanes closed for at least another 2-3 hours. | Indiana State Police
SUN-TIMES MEDIA WIRE - An Arlington Heights man was charged with driving under the influence after crashing a semi truck on I-65 near DeMotte, Indiana.
At about 8:43 a.m. Monday, a semi truck was southbound on I-65 near about three miles south of the State Route 10 exit near DeMotte in Jasper County, according to Indiana State Police.
ISP said the semi was in the right shift lane of a construction zone when it “made contact with the right guardrail,” causing the front, right tire to deflate. The semi then side-swiped the outer concrete bridge before driving off the right shoulder.
The driver, 51-year-old Oleh Halatyma, lost control and drove into the right ditch, where the truck overturned, according to state police. He was not injured. Inside the trailer was 20,000 pounds of powdered milk and a fork-truck.
Investigators found that Halatyma was allegedly two times over the legal limit for alcohol consumption, ISP said. A breath test found he tested .15% blood alcohol content.
Halatyma was taken to Jasper County Jail and charged with operating while intoxicated, disregarding a traffic control device and unsafe lane movement.
The investigation is ongoing, ISP said. All southbound lanes of I-65 were temporarily closed and reopened by about 6 p.m.
That is expected to take another 2-3 hours, police said, and drivers are urged to consider U.S. 41, near the Illinois state line, as an alternate southbound route.