A 24-year-old Greenfield woman lost her life in a two-vehicle wreck Friday morning in the northbound lanes of Interstate 65 near the Seymour exit.
Indiana State Police photo
Troopers from the Indiana State Police Versailles Post began investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash around 11:30 a.m. Friday that occurred on northbound Interstate 65 just south of Seymour.
The initial investigation into the crash that left Ashlea Albertson, 24, of Greenfield dead indicated a black 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, being driven by Austin Cooper, 22, of Austin, was traveling northbound in the right lane of I-65 near the 48 mile marker.
A white 2018 GMC Terrain, being driven by Jacob Kelly, 31, of Indianapolis, also was traveling northbound in the left lane of I-65 at the same location.
Evidence from the scene, including video footage captured by another vehicle, indicated the two drivers began accelerating rapidly and refused to allow the other vehicle to pass.
Cooper’s vehicle then began to change lanes into the path of Kelly’s vehicle.
Kelly lost control of his vehicle and spun, which resulted in the two vehicles colliding in the middle of the northbound lanes.
Kelly’s vehicle also rolled, which resulted Albertson, who was a passenger in the vehicle, being ejected from the vehicle.
Cooper’s vehicle left the east side of the roadway and came to rest in a field.
Kelly and Albertson were both flown from the scene to University of Louisville Hospital for treatment.
After arriving at the hospital, Albertson was pronounced deceased.
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 tests. Toxicology results are pending at this time.
The investigation remains ongoing by troopers from the Versailles Post and the Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Team.
At the conclusion of the investigation, 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 approximately three hours for crash investigation and cleanup.
The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Seymour Police Department, Seymour Fire Department, Jackson County Emergency Medical Services, Howard’s Wrecker Service and 31 Wrecker Service.