Semi driver arrested after I-65 crash in Jackson County

Closed interstate for 8 hours

A semi driver was arrested after a Monday morning crash in Jackson County.

Indiana State Police say at approximately 4:30 a.m., troopers responded to the scene where a semi ran off the road and overturned on northbound I-65 near the 51.5 mile marker, just north of Seymour.

ISP’s initial investigation indicated a semi pulling an enclosed trailer driven by 56-year-old James M. Murphy, was traveling northbound on I-65 when the vehicle left the east side of the roadway. The semi struck a guardrail and overturned off the east side of the interstate.

During the initial investigation, troopers observed that Murphy was showing signs of being intoxicated. A roadside preliminary breath test indicated Murphy had a .26 percent BAC, more than three-times the legal limit. He was transported to Schneck Medical Center where a search warrant was served to obtain a blood sample from him. The toxicology results are pending.

Murphy was arrested on preliminary charges of Operating While Intoxicated and Operating with a BAC of .15 or greater. He was also cited for Open Container Violation and Disregarding a Traffic Control Device.

Neither Murphy nor an adult female passenger in the vehicle were injured and the investigation is ongoing.

The northbound lanes of I-65 remained closed for approximately eight hours for crash investigation and cleanup. All I-65 Northbound traffic was diverted onto US 50 and then to US 31 north from Seymour during the closure.