South Dakota Man Killed in Whitley County Crash on I-75

WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. — A crash on Interstate 75 in Whitley County late Wednesday afternoon resulted in the death of a South Dakota man and caused significant traffic delays into early Thursday morning. The Kentucky State Police (KSP) responded to the accident, which occurred just after 5:30 p.m. at the 21-mile marker northbound.

According to a KSP release, the crash involved a commercial vehicle operated by David N. Nies, 56, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Preliminary investigations indicated that Nies was traveling north on I-75 when he lost control of his vehicle. The truck veered off the roadway, went up an embankment, struck several trees, and overturned. Tragically, Nies succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Whitley County Coroner’s Office. The coroner notified Nies’ next of kin following the accident.

The crash led to a closure of the northbound lanes of I-75 at Exit 15, causing traffic delays for several hours. Emergency crews worked diligently to clear the scene, beginning with offloading the trailer by 8:30 p.m. By 9:30 p.m., the overturned truck had been righted, allowing one lane of northbound I-75 to reopen by 11:30 p.m. All lanes were cleared and traffic resumed normal flow by approximately 2:30 a.m. Thursday.

KSP Commercial Vehicle Sgt. Michael Hamblin is leading the ongoing investigation into the crash. He was assisted at the scene by personnel from KSP Post 11 in London, Whitley County EMS, the Whitley County Coroner’s Office, the Goldbug Volunteer Fire Department, the Williamsburg Fire Department, and Whitley County Emergency Management Director Jerry Rains.

The accident highlights the potential dangers of commercial vehicle travel, especially under challenging conditions that may affect vehicle control. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to understand the factors that contributed to this tragic incident.

David N. Nies’ death marks a somber moment for his family and the community, as they mourn the loss of a dedicated professional. The KSP has extended its condolences to Nies’ family during this difficult time and remains committed to investigating the accident thoroughly to determine its cause.

The incident serves as a reminder for all drivers, especially those operating commercial vehicles, to exercise caution and remain vigilant on the road. The KSP encourages anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has additional information to contact their offices as the investigation progresses.