Indiana Accident News

Deadly drash on I-65 claims lives of paramedic and crime lab worker

Posted on Oct 30, 2008

An early morning crash on Interstate 65 has claimed the lives of a Wayne Township Fire Department paramedic and Marion County Crime Lab chemist.

Indiana State Police reported that Vania Shields, 33, and Charles Gould, 28, were both fatally injured when their vehicle, traveling northbound on I-65, was struck by a runaway trailer that was being hauled by a FedEx semi-truck traveling southbound on I-65.  

According to investigators, the semi was hauling two trailers at the time of the accident.  The second of the two trailers had somehow become unhitched from the rest of the vehicle and crossed the median striking a total of four vehicles.   At this time, investigators are unsure as to why the trailer broke apart.

Deputy Chief John Garino of the Wayne Township Fire Department said fellow emergency workers became concerned when Vania Shields failed to show for her morning shift.

"Well, when she was late for work, and we knew there had been a crash on I-65, as all of the media outlets were reporting, we thought she stopped to help or was stuck in the traffic jam. And as the Captain said, when the helicopter shots came out, we got concerned when we saw a car that we recognized as hers," said Garino.

This morning's northbound traffic was halted and diverted toward U.S. 31 via the Whiteland exit.  State police estimated that this section of I-65 north would be closed until approximately 3 p.m.

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