Benton County, IN : One injured in car-semi accident on U.S. 41 near Earl Park on Monday, July 25, 2016

One person was severely injured Monday after his car rear-ended a semi in a construction zone on U.S. 41 near Earl Park.

About 2:40 p.m. Monday, Trent F. Yates, 35, of Lafayette was driving his GMC Arcadia northbound on U.S. 41 when he rear-ended a Freightliner owned by Wayne Wilkins Trucking of Vincennes, according to an Indiana State Police release. During the investigation, Trooper Josh Edwards found that Jerome M. Klein of Vincennes — who was hauling a refrigerated semitrailer packed with frozen chicken — had stopped or slowed for a construction zone, for which Yates failed to reduce speed.

Yates' vehicle then collided with the rear of the trailer, causing damage to its axles, and spun into a ditch, where it came to a stop.

Emergency crews freed Yates from the wreckage and transported him to Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign, Ill., with severe injuries. Klein was not injured.

Constructions signs, which extend at least 1 mile prior to the worksite, were in place at the time of the crash, according to the release. The investigation is ongoing.

Source :
1 injured in Benton County car-semi accident