One Passenger Passes in Early Morning Crash on I-65 in White County
In White County, Indiana, state and local authorities are investigating a tragic accident that claimed one life early Friday morning, November 7, 2025, on Interstate 65 southbound near the 197-mile marker. The crash, which occurred in the predawn hours, involved two commercial vehicles — a 2018 Freightliner tractor-trailer and a 2020 Hino box truck — and has left one passenger deceased and two drivers hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
According to Indiana State Police Trooper Decker, who is leading the investigation, the accident happened around 5:10 a.m., when visibility was limited due to darkness and light fog. Preliminary findings suggest that the Hino box truck, driven by 64-year-old Richard Amadi of Arlington, Texas, was traveling southbound in the right lane when it slowed for traffic congestion ahead. Behind him, a 2018 Freightliner tractor-trailer, operated by 43-year-old Ehab Hamza of Palos Hills, Illinois, was also southbound but failed to reduce speed in time.
Troopers believe the Freightliner struck the rear of the box truck, causing both vehicles to veer toward the shoulder and come to a violent stop. The impact crushed the rear portion of the Hino truck’s cargo area and left significant debris scattered across both lanes of travel. When emergency responders arrived, they found both drivers conscious but injured, while a passenger in the Hino truck was unresponsive and trapped inside the cab.
Fire and rescue crews from Brookston and Chalmers Fire Departments worked swiftly to extricate the trapped passenger using hydraulic rescue tools. Despite their efforts, the passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene by the White County Coroner’s Office. Authorities have not yet released the individual’s name pending notification of family members.
Both drivers — Hamza and Amadi — were transported to IU Health White Memorial Hospital for evaluation and treatment. State police report that neither alcohol nor drugs appear to have been contributing factors at this time, though toxicology testing is standard procedure in all fatal crashes.
The collision prompted the temporary closure of southbound I-65 between mile markers 193 and 200 as crews conducted cleanup operations and accident reconstruction. Traffic was redirected onto nearby U.S. 231, causing delays for several hours through the mid-morning. Heavy-duty wreckers were called to remove the damaged trucks, and highway maintenance teams cleared spilled cargo and diesel fuel from the roadway before reopening all lanes shortly before noon.
Investigators from the Indiana State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit spent the morning documenting skid marks, measuring distances, and collecting data from both trucks’ onboard electronic control modules. Trooper Decker emphasized that determining the exact sequence of events — including speed, braking distance, and driver reaction time — will take several days.
Authorities also expressed gratitude to the White County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana Department of Transportation, Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office, and White County EMS for their assistance in managing the scene and supporting the investigation.
As of Friday evening, the identity of the deceased passenger remains undisclosed, pending family notification. Police say the investigation is ongoing, and no citations or criminal charges have yet been filed.
This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of highway driving during low-visibility hours. Officials urge motorists, especially commercial drivers, to maintain safe following distances, remain alert to changing traffic conditions, and ensure that fatigue or distraction never play a role behind the wheel.
The White County community extends its condolences to the family of the victim and hopes for the recovery of those injured in the crash. State Police will release further updates as more information becomes available.
