Updated: 10:45 a.m.

A Kentucky semi driver died early this morning after crashing into an INDOT dump truck on Interstate-65 just north of Seymour.

65-year-old James H. Foster of Louisville was driving the semi with a load of frozen food when he came upon the dump truck in the southbound right lane of Interstate 65 near the 50-mile-marker overpass at about 12:30 a.m. The unoccupied dump truck had flashing lights on and a flashing arrow lit and was being used to provide protection to a crew working on the overpass, says Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, spokesman for the state police.

Police don’t know why Foster didn’t change lanes, but after crashing into the back of the dump truck, his semi overturned and came to rest partly in the roadway.

Foster was pronounced dead at the scene by Jackson County Coroner Michael Bobb. There were no other injuries in the crash.

The southbound lanes of I-65 were closed for about six hours to investigate the crash and to cleanup. Crews had to offload the 17 tons of frozen food from the trailer by hand prior to putting the trailer upright.

Indiana State Police were assisted by the Seymour Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Columbus Police Department, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Seymour Fire Department, Jackson County EMS, Jackson County Coroner’s Office, and 31 Wrecker Service.

Earlier version:

Indiana State Police are reporting a fatal accident on Interstate 65 this morning, just north of the Seymour exit.

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles with the Indiana State Police says that a semi struck a piece of INDOT equipment. The driver of the semi died but the name of the driver has not yet been released. Crews have been working several hours to reopen the southbound lanes of the interstate.

Wheeles says that the Interstate was reopened by about 7:30 a.m. however traffic is backed up between Seymour and Columbus. There are also traffic tieups on U.S. 31 as driver seek to avoid the traffic.