Semi Driver Arrested in Crash
That Killed 3, Injured 14 others
Near I-65 and 334 / Whitestown
Boone County / Whitestown – 2020 01 05 8:45pm
Boone County Sheriff office announced the arrest of Mathew Lewis Small, 34 of Grandville, MI the driver of the semi. Mr. Small told investigators he looked away to sit his coffee mug down, when he encountered slowing traffic.
The investigation by officials indicated it is likely the semi driven by Mr. Small collided with all eight vehicles as he drove through the slower traffic.
The semi’s cab later caught fire and came to a stop on the shoulder, near the Whitestown Parkway / 334 exit. One of the vehicles left the roadway, went over the outside guard rail and landed behind the tractor trailer.
Thirteen patients were transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital and one girl was taken to Riley Hospital. All injuries on the 14 patients appear to be non-life threatening.
Authorities reported two people removed from a vehicle pinned against the guard rail; later an infant was discovered in the same car, all three were pronounced dead at the scene.
All fatalities were from the one vehicle and were later identified as Mariah Tomey 21, Kaylee Kirk 19, and Haley Tomey 1.
Sunday evening Mike Nielsen Boone Sheriff released the following statement.
“A sad day for two Boone County families. The loss of two young women and a one-year-old child. Distracted driving or driver inattention is a major cause of many accidents on our public roadways. In this case we believe it was a contributing factor in this fatal crash. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office feels strongly that those that cause death on our public roadways, because of driver inattention, should be held accountable. Mr. Mathew Small was charged with 3 counts of Reckless Homicide by the BCSO Criminal Investigations Division and the Boone County Prosecutors Office. Please pay attention to your driving when operating a motor vehicle. Give yourself plenty of room to have a way out, put down your phone or other objects, DO NOT drive distracted or impaired! Keep these families in your thoughts and prayers.” – Mike Nielsen Boone Sheriff
Mr. Small faces 3 charges of Reckless Homicide (Level 5 Felonies); he was arrested, booked and lodged in the jail at Boone County.
Assisting Agencies Include:
Boone County Sheriff’s Office
Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department
Zionsville Police Department
Lebanon Police Department
Indiana State Police
Zionsville Fire Department
Whitestown Fire Department
Pike Township Fire Department
Boone County EMS
Center Township Fire Department
Perry Township Fire Department
Boone County Coroner’s Office
Boone County Prosecutor’s Office
Content courtesy Zionsville Fire Department, Boone County Sheriff, and The Editor
Article updated 2020 01 05 11:30pm
Original Article Follows:
Jan 5th 2020 – I-65/Whitestown Boone County 12:45pm – Zionsville Fire Department is working seven plus vehicle serious motor vehicle accident at I-65 and Whitestown Parkway exit—multiple injuries—I-65 NB closed for next several hours. Boone County Sheriff has confirmed two fatalities and fourteen injuries.
INDOT notified the public, as of approximately 5:15pm all lanes and thoroughfares were open to normal traffic.
The incident took place on I-65 at approximately 11:00am near the northbound lanes of 334 / Whitestown exit.
Numerous public safety agencies assisting and investigating.
Northbound I-65 is being diverted at 71st Street in Marion County south of the scene.
Authorities are also diverting westbound traffic from I-465 getting on I-865 to prevent those travelers from experiencing delays.
Content courtesy Zionsville Fire Department, Boone County Sheriff, INDOT, and The Editor
Article updated 2020 01 05 3:30pm
Article updated 2020 01 05 6:30pm
