MAY 14, 2015
LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB)
Officials have released the name of the woman killed in a fiery crash along I-64 in Shelby County
Wednesday, and charged the driver of a truck in connection with the accident.
Police say the driver of the tractor-trailer failed to slow
down for traffic that was backed up due to a disabled vehicle along the side of
the interstate and crashed into the rear of a Chevrolet HHR. The crash started
a chain reaction involving three more vehicles. The HHR burst into flames due
to the force of the impact.
The coroner declared Doris Wise, 43, of Louisville, dead at
the scene. She was the driver of the HHR.
Three other people were treated and released at Jewish
Hospital in Shelbyville.
Officers arrested the driver of the semi. Police charged
Miroslav Kuzmanovic, 22, with reckless homicide, wanton endangerment,
communication device violation and violation part 392 federal safety
regulation-driving of motor vehicle.
Originally, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet indicated
that two people had died in the crash, but Kentucky State Police says just one
person died.
Investigators say the vehicle hit by the tractor trailer was
burned so badly that both the vehicle identification number and the license
plate were melted.
Kuzmanovic is being held without band at the Shelbyville
Detention Center.
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One person died in a fiery crash between a semi and four
other vehicles Wednesday afternoon. The wreck shut down the interstate for
several hours near mile marker 35 in Shelby county .
"There was a slow down on the interstate due to a motorist assist," said Trooper Kendra Wilson, with Kentucky State Police. "The semi, for all indications, failed to slow and struck another motorist."
Troopers say that caused the car to go off the road where it burst into flames.
The driver was pronounced dead on the scene. Three other people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
An all too familiar scene to people who live nearby.
"There were helicopters flying over the top so we figured oh another accident on 64 again," said Don Bucy.
With I-64 shut down in both directions it caused quite a headache for travelers.
"It bottlenecks down to two lanes," said Bucy. "So it really makes it rough in this section."
Don Bucy, whose house is right off the interstate, said it took his middle school-aged daughter an extra 45 minutes to get home Wednesday afternoon.
"Because when the highway backs up everybody tries to get over to Shelbyville Road and everything backs up into town," said Bucy.
With more cars on the road when summer travel picks up, troopers are asking everyone to be extra cautious.
"You have to give yourself time and space between other vehicles so you have time to react," said Trooper Wilson.
"You have to always pay attention all the time," said Bucy. "I mean you can't let your guard down, I learned the hard way myself."
The name of the victim has not been released.
Troopers say, so far, there are no charges pending.
"There was a slow down on the interstate due to a motorist assist," said Trooper Kendra Wilson, with Kentucky State Police. "The semi, for all indications, failed to slow and struck another motorist."
Troopers say that caused the car to go off the road where it burst into flames.
The driver was pronounced dead on the scene. Three other people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
An all too familiar scene to people who live nearby.
"There were helicopters flying over the top so we figured oh another accident on 64 again," said Don Bucy.
With I-64 shut down in both directions it caused quite a headache for travelers.
"It bottlenecks down to two lanes," said Bucy. "So it really makes it rough in this section."
Don Bucy, whose house is right off the interstate, said it took his middle school-aged daughter an extra 45 minutes to get home Wednesday afternoon.
"Because when the highway backs up everybody tries to get over to Shelbyville Road and everything backs up into town," said Bucy.
With more cars on the road when summer travel picks up, troopers are asking everyone to be extra cautious.
"You have to give yourself time and space between other vehicles so you have time to react," said Trooper Wilson.
"You have to always pay attention all the time," said Bucy. "I mean you can't let your guard down, I learned the hard way myself."
The name of the victim has not been released.
Troopers say, so far, there are no charges pending.