A semi crashed and fell off Interstate 65 in Hospital Curve on June 13, 2025. (Photo submitted by Abbie Sheldon)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The driver of a semi that caught fire and fell from Interstate 65 in downtown Louisville survived with minor injuries.
Louisville Fire Captain Donovan Sims confirmed that the driver was able to escape and sustained only minor injuries to lower extremities. Sims said there are reports the driver may have been able to jump from the cab of the semi. The driver was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover.
A MetroSafe supervisor confirmed a call about an accident came in at 10:14 a.m. Friday about the single vehicle crash on Interstate 65. TRIMARC cameras showed the truck hanging off the I-65 near Jefferson Street in flames. WDRB photojournalist Emily Evans captured video of the moment the truck fell from the interstate. It landed near I-64 and I-71 north, according to Sims.
A plume of black smoke rose from the crash scene under the interstate after the fire was extinguished by Louisville firefighters. Witnesses said they heard explosions around the time of the crash.
The Louisville Fire Department posted an image on social media of firefighters near the semi attacking flames under I-65 south near I-64. Sims said the department was able to get to the scene quickly. LFD received mutual aid from Jeffersonville Fire and EMS.
All lanes on I-65 were reopened for the afternoon commute.
At a news conference, Mayor Craig Greenberg said the semi trailer was empty at the time of the crash, but the cause of the crash hasn't been determined. He said investigators are checking to see if the accident was captured on any of the cameras in the area.
The Louisville Metro Police Traffic Unit will lead the investigation into what happened. Police spokesman Dwight Mitchell said there were three previous crashes in the same area including one on Kentucky Derby weekend. "Today we are very, very, very, very lucky. This could have been a lot worse and other people could have gotten hurt."
Exclusive video of a fiery crash on Friday morning.
Greenberg said his office has reached out to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), which has jurisdiction over interstates. He said the city had already been working with KYTC about safety along the I-65 corridor through Louisville, after a series of recent crashes in the area. He said the city has come up with strategies to deal with safety along the interstate, but he did not elaborate on that.
KYTC released a statement late Friday afternoon. "Law enforcement officials are conducting investigations into today's incident, and the Cabinet will review crash reports to evaluate contributing factors. KYTC engineers are on site evaluating the I-65 South bridge over I-64/I-71 for any damage resulting from the crash-related fire. Today’s incident will be taken into consideration as part of an ongoing evaluation of enhancements in the area."
KYTC posted on social media late Friday that engineers inspected I-65 and found no damage to the roadway or Kennedy Bridge. It said the I-65 South ramp to Jefferson Street would reopen Friday evening after repairs to the crash cushion.
As of 8:45 p.m., the ramp had reopened, according to MetroSafe and KYTC.
This story may be updated.
Officials said the driver was able to jump from the cab at the last second.
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