Columbus man killed after struck by semi

A Columbus man was struck and killed by a semi tractor-trailer early Monday morning while attempting to walk across the southbound lanes of I-65 near the 74 mile marker in Bartholomew County.

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, spokesman for the Indiana State Police, say the initial investigation indicated that a vehicle driven by 27-year-old Justin S. Mills was traveling southbound near the 74.5 mile marker when the vehicle entered the median of I-65 and struck the cable barrier. Police say that Mills left the vehicle and walked to the nearby I-65 rest area. Upon returning to his vehicle, Mills was struck and killed while crossing the interstate. The semi that struck Mills was driven by 48-year-old Carlos E. Zepeda, of Greenwood.

Wheeles says that Zepeda, who was not hurt, immediately stopped at the scene and reported striking Mills. Authorities still don’t know why Mills entered into the path of the semi. Authorities add that they are still waiting on toxicology reports on both Zepeda and Mills.

The crash remains under investigation.