BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY, Ind. — A semi-truck hauling approximately 300 howitzer rounds crashed and caught fire on Interstate 65 Tuesday morning, triggering a full interstate shutdown and a major emergency response involving military explosive experts.

The incident occurred in the southbound lanes near mile marker 64, just south of Columbus. According to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, the semi was transporting heavy military ammunition when it crashed and ignited, prompting immediate concerns about the stability of the munitions.

An Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was dispatched to the scene to secure and render the ammunition safe. Officials estimated that the process would take several hours.

Complicating the situation further, a second serious crash occurred in the traffic backup created by the original fire. Indiana State Police confirmed that the secondary collision near the 67 mile-marker resulted in serious injuries and required a medical helicopter response.

The interstate was shut down in both directions for nearly 10 miles—from Exit 64 in Bartholomew County to Exit 55 in Jackson County—as emergency crews worked to control the fire, assess the explosive cargo, and clear both crash scenes.

By 11:30 a.m., INDOT announced that all lanes in both directions had reopened, restoring traffic flow after several hours of closures.

According to the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office, the semi’s cargo, its fire, and the secondary crash all contributed to the extensive shutdown and emergency response.

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