Ohio man killed in I-74 crash near Batesville Friday

Happened at the 151 mile marker

(BATESVILLE, Ind.) -- A Cincinnati man was killed in an early morning crash on I-74 on Friday.

Around 5 a.m., Ripley County deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash near the 151-mile marker.

Police say a vehicle driven by 80-year-old Thomas Kotzbauer, of Cincinnati, was stopped in the west bound driving lane with no lights on the vehicle.

A UPS truck driven by 45-year-old Herman Akers, of West Chester, Ohio, crashed in Kotzbauer's vehicle.

"After the collision, both vehicles left the roadway before coming to rest," Ripley County Chief Deputy Lee Davidson said.

Kotzbauer sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Ripley County Coroner's Office.

Akers did not sustain injuries in the crash.

The crash remains under investigation. Toxicology results are pending although alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in the crash.

I-74 was closed for nearly five hours for crash investigation and cleanup.

One viewer shared the photo with the 812 and said, "My husband and son were a few cars behind this accident this morning and sat for over 3 hours."

The Ripley County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Indiana State Police, Batesville Police Department, Sunman Police Department, Batesville Fire and EMS, Affordable Todd's Wrecker Service, and the Ripley County Coroner's Office.

INITIAL REPORT:

(BATESVILLE, Ind.) -- Westbound I-74 continues to be slow-moving after a serious early Friday morning.

Officials say at least one person was killed in the crash which occurred near the 151 mile marker around 5 a.m.

Authorities have not released specific details about the accident.

Around 8 a.m., a second crash occurred involving a semi and box which led to further traffic delays. No injuries were reported.

Only one lane of westbound I-74 is open as of 9:50 a.m. Friday.