Head-on crash on Interstate 65 claims a life

TIPPECANOE CO. – On Tuesday, November 30, 2021, just before 5:30 p.m., The Indiana State Police responded to a fatal crash on Interstate 65 near the 179 mile-marker.

A preliminary investigation by Trooper Miramontes revealed a 2013 Kenworth driven by 50-year-old Walter Sutton, of Lonedell, MO, was traveling south on Interstate 65 near the 179 mile-marker. For an unknown reason, Lee ran off the road, into the median, through concrete barriers, and into northbound traffic. At that time, a 2017 Freightliner was traveling north and was hit, head-on by the Kenworth.

The driver of the Freightliner succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash. Their name is being withheld pending identification and notification to the family. Their name will be released by the Tippecanoe County Coroner at a later date.

Sutton was uninjured in the crash.

Trooper Miramontes was assisted by Troopers from the Lafayette Post, Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department, Tippecanoe County Crash Reconstruction Team, Battle Ground Police Department, Tippecanoe County Coroner, Tippecanoe County EMS, Tippecanoe County EMA, Tippecanoe Township Fire Department, Lafayette Fire Department, IU Health LifeLine, INDOT, Milestone Contracting, and Jim’s Garage.

This crash remains under investigation by the Indiana State Police and the Tippecanoe County Crash Reconstruction Team. There is no further information to release at this time.