SCOTT COUNTY
An Indiana State Police investigation into a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on Interstate 65 near Austin late Saturday night led to the arrest of a 24 year old Paris Crossing man, police report.
Cooper A. Hensley faces a preliminary charge of operating while intoxicated causing death in connection with the crash that left Scotty R. Hoosier, 47, of Altamont, Tennessee, dead, according to a news release from Sgt. Stephen Wheeles.
At approximately 11:55 p.m. Saturday, troopers with the Indiana State Police-Sellersburg Post, along with officers and other first responders from numerous other agencies responded to a two-vehicle crash on northbound I-65 near the 33 mile marker, just south of Austin, in Scott County.
The initial investigation by the post’s crash reconstruction team indicated a black 2013 Dodge Avenger being driven by Hensley was traveling northbound in the left lane of interstate, according to Wheeles, who is the public information officer with the Versailles Post.
The evidence indicated that Hensley was exceeding the speed limit when he collided with a 2006 white/red Ford F-250, being driven by Hoosier, who also traveling northbound on the interstate.
The force of the initial collision caused Hoosier’s vehicle to leave the east side of the roadway where it collided with a tree and came to rest. Hensley’s vehicle entered the median of I-65 where it struck the median cable barrier and overturned.
As a result of the crash, Hoosier sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Scott County Coroner’s Office. Two passengers in Hoosier’s vehicle were transported to University of Louisville Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Hensley was uninjured in the crash.
During the investigation, officers located drug paraphernalia in Hensley’s possession. Further investigation indicated Hensley showed signs of being intoxicated at the scene of the crash. A search warrant was obtained for Hensley’s blood to conduct toxicology testing. Those results are pending at this time.
Hensley was then transported to the Scott County Jail where he was incarcerated.
The investigation is ongoing.
Northbound I-65 was closed approximately four hours for crash investigation and cleanup.
State troopers were assisted by the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, Scottsburg Police Department, Austin Police Department, Scottsburg Fire Department, Jennings Township Fire Department, Scott County EMS, Scott County Coroner’s Office and Coomer’s Towing.