Pedestrian Struck and Killed on I-65 near Columbus

For an unknown reason, subject exited her vehicle and walked into the southbound lanes of I-65. 

This morning, at approximately 3:30 am, the Indiana State Police responded to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle on I-65 southbound near the 58 mile marker in Bartholomew County.  Upon arriving on scene, officers located a female who was deceased.

The initial investigation by Trooper Matt Holley, Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that a female, identified as Jarlene Hargrove, age 31, Cincinnati, Ohio had been traveling southbound on I-65 near the 58 mile marker in a 2005 Cadillac SUV.  Hargrove’s vehicle left the roadway and became stuck in the median. 

For an unknown reason, Hargrove exited her vehicle and walked into the southbound lanes of I-65. 

Hargrove was then struck by a southbound 2015 Volvo tractor trailer being driven by James E. Gause Jr., age 49, Marion, South Carolina.  The Volvo being driven by Gause was then struck from behind by a southbound 2016 Freightliner tractor trailer being driven by Christopher A. House, age 44, Bardstown, Kentucky.

Hargrove sustained fatal injuries in the crash.  She was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office.  Neither Gause nor House were injured in the crash.  Toxicology results on Hargrove, Gause, and House are all pending at this time.  The investigation is ongoing.

The southbound lanes of I-65 were closed for nearly three hours for crash investigation and cleanup.