An Indiana man is stable condition this morning after he was injured when police say he crashed his semi into another semi on the William Natcher Parkway Monday morning, which caused the parkway to be closed for nearly 7 hours.
Kentucky State Police reports the collision occurred around 10:00 Monday morning after 64 year old Randall Merritt of Carmi, Illinois pulled his semi back onto the parkway from a rest area and was driving southbound on the William Natcher Parkway around the 62 mile marker about 10 miles south of Owensboro and for an unknown reason 57 year old Michael Williams of Greenfield, Indiana crashed his semi into the rear of Merritt’s tractor-trailer. The collision caused William’s tractor-trailer to cross the median and both northbound lanes of traffic before striking a bridge overpass support column.
According to state police, William’s had to be extricated from his truck by hydraulic rescue tools and was transported by ambulance to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital where he is listed in stable condition. Authorities indicate Merritt was not injured in the wreck.
Williams drives for EMJ Transportation in Linwood, California and was hauling aluminum bars. Police say Merritt drives for Poshard and Son’s, Inc. in Mount Vernon, Indiana and his truck and trailer remained in commission.
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesman Keith Todd indicates the road was closed from about 10:00 until around 5:15 Monday afternoon and motorists had to be rerouted in order to allow crews to clean up at the wreck scene.
The Kentucky State Police Commercial Enforcement Division is currently investigating the accident.
