Man hit and killed on Interstate 65 south of Seymour

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A man was struck and killed by a vehicle Tuesday night on Interstate 65 south of Seymour.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call from 20-year-old Rafael Gaspar Francisco of Seymour at 11:49 p.m. He told dispatchers he believed he had struck a person with his 2016 Chevrolet Camaro while he was driving south, according to a news release from Jackson County Sheriff’s Department Officer Zach Elliott.

Elliott and county Reserve Officer Jonathon Tabor were the first to arrive, and they found a body lying in the grassy median just off the passing lane at the 47.5 mile marker.

The interstate was shut down at that time and remained closed for about an hour and a half, Elliott said.

The name of the deceased male, who is not believed to have been an Indiana resident, had not been released Wednesday afternoon.

Elliott said he spoke with Francisco, who said he was in the slow lane when he observed something that resembled a human in the travel portion of the interstate. Francisco said he tried to swerve and miss the person but was unable to do so. The impact of the incident caused substantial damage to Francisco’s car.

Francisco consented to a chemical test, which was completed at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour.

According to the news release, Francisco didn’t show any impairment and had a valid driver’s license.

County Officer Brad Barker, Detective Sgt. Stan Darlage and Sheriff Rick Meyer along with Crothersville Assistant Police Chief Chris Cooper assisted at the scene. Jackson County Coroner Mike Bobb also was called to the scene.

After officers processed the scene, which took about 90 minutes, all southbound lanes of travel were reopened. The case remains under investigation.

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