Van-Semi Crash Results In Multiple Injuries

Six people from Warrick County, Indiana, were injured in a crash involving a semi and a van around 6:30 Saturday night in Jackson County.

Sgt. Noel Houze, with Indiana State Police in Versailles says, a van driven by 61-year-old Becky Freimiller, of Warrick County, Indiana, was going south on I-65 near mile marker 47 when a large tire came across the median and struck the van's windshield. Freimiller lost control of the van which then entered the median and struck the barrier cable, then launched over the cable into the. The semi, driven by 36-year-old Anthony Green of Woodruff, South Carolina, sideswiped the can causing heavy front-end damage to the van.

Freimiller suffered severe cuts and trauma to the face and a possible concussion. Green was uninjured.

One of the passengers in Freimiller's van, 64-year-old Frances Wilkey, was trapped in the van for nearly 30 minutes before emergency crews could free him. He was flown to University Hospital in Louisville with life-threatening injuries.

Three others in the van suffered cuts and bruises, one suffered possible broken bones and another had serious head trauma.

Troopers and sheriff's deputies searched the area for the vehicle which lost the tire. They believe it came from a trailer of a large vehicle. Anyone with information regarding the "mystery" vehicle should contact the Indiana State Police, Versailles District at 812-689-5000. The crash remains under investigation.

Assisting Tpr. Holley were other troopers, Jackson County Sheriff's deputies, the Vernon Township Fire Department, Jackson County EMS, and Lifeline Medical Helicopter.