Listen Live

MORGAN COUNTY, Ind.–There was a fatal crash in Morgan County early Thursday morning.

It was reported just after 2 am on I-69 northbound at Banta Road. That is just south of State Road 144 on the Morgan-Johnson County line. A semi and a pickup truck were involved.

“Law enforcement was providing medical care to a driver of a pickup truck who was in critical condition. That pickup driver was later pronounced deceased at the scene,” said Bargersville Fire Department Deputy Chief Mike Pruitt.

Pruitt says people who witnessed the crash have been giving them key information.

“There were some witness accounts who said the individual was sitting still on the interstate at Banta Road at the light and was struck from behind by the semi,” said Pruitt. 

Police have identified the driver of the semi as Dhaliwal Iqbal Singh, 48, of St. Thomas, Ontario. Both he and his passenger were not injured. The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office says Singh did not “observe the pickup truck until it was too late to avoid the crash and rear-ended the pickup.”

The driver of the pickup truck has been identified as Jason D. Phelps, 45, of Martinsville. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Johnson County Coroner’s Office.

Singh was taken to a hospital for a chemical test. Investigators say he did not show any signs of impairment.

Northbound and southbound lanes of I-69 were closed for a few hours because of the crash. While it was closed, emergency responders cleaned up the debris.

“There was also some fuel on the ground along with the debris, so that delayed the reopening of the interstate, but all lanes are open now,” said Pruitt.

Once the investigation is complete, the report will be sent to the Morgan County Prosecutor for review of any possible criminal charges.

 

LISTEN: Full Interview with Mike Pruitt, Deputy Fire Chief of the Bargersville Fire Department