SEYMOUR, Ind. – Troopers from the Indiana State Police (ISP)-Versailles Post were dispatched to a two-vehicle fatal crash on northbound I-65, just south of Seymour, on Friday at around 11:30 a.m.
The initial investigation indicates that a car, driven by Austin Cooper, 22, of Austin, was traveling north in the right lane of I-65 near the 48-mile marker. An SUV, operated by Jacob Kelly, 31, of Indianapolis, was going north in the left lane of I-65 at the same location. Evidence from the scene, including video footage captured by another car, revealed the two drivers began accelerating rapidly and refused to allow the other vehicle to pass.
Cooper’s car then began to change lanes into the path of Kelly’s SUV. Kelly lost control of his vehicle and spun, resulting in the two vehicles colliding in the northbound lanes. Kelly’s SUV rolled and a female passenger, Ashlea Albertson, 24, of Greenfield, was ejected. Cooper’s car left the east side of the roadway and came to rest in a field.
Kelly and Albertson were both flown from the scene to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment. Albertson was pronounced deceased upon arrival. Kelly was being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Cooper and a juvenile passenger were transported to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, where they were both treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Both drivers in the crash submitted to blood-alcohol tests. Toxicology results are pending.
The investigation remains ongoing by ISP. At its conclusion, the case will be presented to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for review for possible charges.
The northbound lanes of I-65 were closed for about three hours for crash investigation and cleanup.
