3 dead, including 2 children, in I-65 crashes near Columbus

BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — Three people died in two separate crashes Thursday evening, causing the closure of I-65 southbound for a time.

Lanes were closed from the 64 mile marker to the 68 mile marker.

According to our partners at The Republic, the first crash occurred at 4:07 p.m. at the 65 mile marker and involved a motorcycle.

Sgt. Matt Harris with the Columbus Police Department said the motorcyclist was declared dead on the scene and the passenger on the motorcycle was taken to a hospital.

The motorcycle driver was identified as 58-year-old Hunter Patton of DuPont. His wife, whose name was not available, was transported by medical helicopter to IU Health Methodist Hospital.

In the aftermath of that crash, traffic became backed up.

Around 5 p.m., an SUV and a semi collided when the SUV struck the rear of the semi. This crash was near the State Road 46 exit at Columbus.

Two children died in that crash. The driver of the SUV was transported by medical helicopter to IU Health Methodist Hospital. Another child in the SUV was flown to Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health.

The SUV became wedged underneath the semi.