I-65 Semi Wreck in Jackson County

Unfortunately, there was another serious wreck involving a semi tractor-trailer on I-65 near the 40-mile marker in Jackson County, Indiana on October 17, 2026. According to preliminary information, a semi failed to slow down for traffic that had slowed due to a construction zone. This resulted in a four-vehicle collision, including two commercial motor vehicles and two passenger vehicles. There is at least one seriously injured victim of this senseless accident.

We see this type of wreck way too often.  When a semi driver plows into the rear of slowed traffic on an interstate it is typically due to driver distraction, driver fatigue, or driver impairment.  Other factors that can contribute to this type of wreck are faulty brakes or equipment issues on the semi that result in failure to slow or stop. This case is potentially complicated by the fact that there was a construction zone involved in the collision. The at fault truck driver, the trucking company, and/or the insurance carrier likely will try to shift blame for the accident to others including those responsible for the construction zone. That is why it is imperative that the victim’s family hire an Indiana Truck Accident Attorney as soon as possible. That attorney will immediately take steps to protect the victim and lock down the evidence.

Things that need to be done immediately:

• Hire an experienced Indiana truck accident attorney as soon as possible, so they can send out preservation of evidence letters to those involved, requesting that all vehicles involved be secured and made available for inspection.
• Send out a Rapid Response Team (investigators) to the scene and to the locations of the vehicles. They will look for and document evidence, skid marks, debris, and other evidence. They will also decide if we need to hire security to watch the semi involved, so it isn’t removed from the state. This will include shooting footage of the scene with a drone and photographing and videotaping the construction zone, as well as all signs leading up to the location of the wreck.
• Hire a heavy truck mechanic to inspect the semi to see if it had any mechanical issues.
• Hire a semi-truck accident reconstructionist to do a download of the Electronic Control Module (ECM or black box), inspect the scene, potentially download the cell phone of the truck driver, and inspect the vehicles.
• Investigate the safety of the trucking company and the driver involved. Download all internet information and do background checks.
• Request the 911 calls and have an investigator obtain taped statements from all witnesses while the wreck is still fresh in their minds. Obtain the police file.

Obviously, the victim and their family are concerned with injuries and in survival mode. Someone in the family needs to be responsible for hiring the truck accident attorney, so that they can do the things outlined above plus take other necessary steps to protect their claim. They shouldn’t rely on the police because the police have a different responsibility than a truck accident attorney. Their investigation is never as complete and comprehensive as the truck accident attorney. The police don’t have access to the same level of experts as the trucking company or the truck accident attorney.

Nationally recognized and Board-Certified Truck Accident Attorney (NBTA) David W. Craig said: “This wreck, like so many I see, is completely preventable. There are very few things more dangerous than slowed traffic on the highway due to construction zones because the bad semi drivers are either distracted (watching videos on their phone), impaired by drugs or alcohol, or fatigued. Also, the bad drivers are often driving equipment that isn’t properly maintained.”

This stretch of I-65 between Indianapolis and Louisville has a lot of semi-truck accidents. In 2025, there were at least 101 semi wrecks on this stretch. Through the end of September in 2026, there have been 68 accidents on I-65 between Indianapolis and the Indiana/Kentucky line. See the Semi Crash Map at semicrashmap.com.

Injured in a Truck Wreck? Craig, Kelley & Faultless Can Help

Attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless are prepared and have the experience to help victims and their loved ones involved in commercial vehicle wrecks through every aspect of their case. Both David W. Craig, Scott A. Faultless are board-certified in truck accident law by the NBTA, accredited by the American Bar Association. The firm also has a rapid response team—including investigators, reconstructionists and mechanics—that is sent to the scene of a wreck to collect evidence as soon as the firm is hired.

Their team-centered approach puts client needs at the forefront, and several attorneys will work on your case to achieve the best possible outcome.

Reach out for a free case consultation today at (317) 434-3520 or online.

David W. Craig is board-certified in truck accident law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, accredited by the American Bar Association in Truck Accident Law. He sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck: A Guide for Victims and Their Families and It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, both written to help people navigate what comes next after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.