Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed the name of a decreased man involved in a fatal accident at the 21-mile marker of I-75 Wednesday as David N. Nies. According to Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley and a relative of Nies, his correct name is Brian David Nies.
Original story
A late Wednesday afternoon crash on I-75 in Whitley County claimed the life of a South Dakota man, and snarled interstate traffic into the early morning hours Thursday.
Kentucky State Police responded to the accident, which occurred just after 5:30 p.m. at the 21-mile marker northbound, according to a KSP release.
Through preliminary investigation, officers determined a commercial vehicle, which was operated by Brian David Nies, 56, of Sioux Falls, was traveling north on I-75 when he lost control of his vehicle leaving the roadway. He drove up an embankment, struck several trees and overturned, the release stated.
Nies succumbed to his injuries, and was pronounced deceased by the Whitley County Coroner’s Office, which notified his next of kin.
The northbound lanes of I-75 were closed at Exit 15 for several hours as clean-up work proceeded.
By 8:30 p.m. the trailer had been off loaded. By 9:30 p.m. the truck had been up righted.
One lane of I-75 northbound was re-opened about 11:30 p.m., and all lanes were clear by about 2:30 a.m. Thursday.
KSP Commercial Vehicle Sgt. Michael Hamblin is continuing the investigation, and was assisted at the scene by additional personnel from KSP Post 11 in London, Whitley County EMS, the Whitley County Coroner’s Office, Goldbug Volunteer Fire Department, Williamsburg Fire Department and Whitley County Emergency Management Director Jerry Rains.
