A Jasper County, Indiana crash on I-65 this (Monday) morning involved a state trooper's squad car.  Troopers were investigating a crash around 5 am involving another vehicle in the northbound lane.  Troopers were assisting D-1 Towing with the removal of a semi involved in the earlier crash. Two troopers were blocking the right lane with all their emergency lights activated when Trooper Jordin Bilthuis’ police car was side-swiped by a tanker truck. Trooper Bilthuis was sitting in her patrol car, with her seatbelt buckled, when the crash occurred.

Trooper Bilthuis was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery. The driver of the truck, Jonathan W. Hanley, 33, from Remington, IN, was cited for Failure to Yield to a Stationary Emergency Vehicle. An inspection was also completed on the tanker truck which found several violations, two of which were “Out of Service” violations. 

94.1 WGFA

{The Indiana State Police reminds drivers to always slow down and/or change lanes when approaching emergency vehicles that are on the side of the roadway. Also, never drive a vehicle when you’re fatigued or tired. Pull over to a safe location, a rest stop or service station, and rest before continuing to your destination. The life you save could very well be your own}.