Woman dies in interstate crash

A semi-tractor trailer is lifted off the crumpled Nissan alongside Interstate 70 at the 47-mile marker Thursday afternoon. Seventeen-year-old Julie Ann Donnelly, of Ohio, was killed in the Nissan.

A 17-year-old teenager from Ohio was killed Thursday when her car crossed the median on Interstate 70 in Putnam County and hit a semi-tractor trailer head-on.

Indiana State Police say Julie Ann Donnelly, 17, of Cincinnati, died when her car careened off the road, crossing the median and striking a semi-tractor trailer head-on.

At around 11:30 a.m., the ISP responded to the crash near mile marker 47 in Putnam County. Police say Donnelly was traveling westbound on I-70 when the accident occurred.

According to the ISP, witnesses stated that the Nissan crossed the median and struck an eastbound 2005 Volvo semi tractor and box trailer head on.

The semi tractor being operated by Donald Dean Gramblin, 70, Taylor, Mich. was in the lefthand lane and swerved to the right in an attempt to miss the vehicle. The semi tractor came to rest on top of the vehicle off the right shoulder of I-70 eastbound.

Donnelly was pronounced dead at the scene by Putnam County Coroner Thomas Miller. Gramblin was treated at the scene for a cut to his hand and refused any further medical treatment.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts, however due to the violent nature of the crash; the seatbelt could not prevent the fatal injuries Donnelly received, police said.

Traffic on I-70 eastbound was diverted to U.S. 231 for approximately three hours while Indiana State Police Crash Reconsructionists worked the scene.

Investigating officers were Trooper DuJuan McFadden, Senior Trooper Gary Warfield, Senior Trooper Ronald Lowe, Trooper Kurt Steinkamp, Senior Trooper Chris Carter and Sgt. Jim Jackson.

Assisting Agencies included Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Cloverdale Police Department, Cloverdale Township Fire Department and Curtis Wrecker Service.