Drivers are still being advised to avoid Interstate 65 in Clinton County near the Indiana 28 exit after two serious accidents caused at least seven people to be injured and led major traffic congestion.

The first accident reportedly occurred at about 4:30 a.m. when a semi-truck and two passenger vehicles were involved in an accident that sent five people to local hospitals with injuries, the Clinton County Sheriff's Office said.

Reportedly, the next accident, involving three additional semi-trucks, occurred at about 5 a.m. after traffic had built up from the first accident. Indiana State Police described the second mess beginning as the driver of a 2000 Volvo tractor, who was pulling double trailers for Federal Express, had come to a stop in the right lane because of backed up traffic.

As a 2006 International tractor, pulling double trailers for United Parcel approached slowly from behind, police said that a third Volvo tractor approached and failed to slow down. This semi ran into the back of the UPS big rig, which was then smashed into the back of the Fed Ex big rig, police said.

Two of the semi-truck drivers had to be transported to a hospital in Frankfurt to receive treatment for injuries. One of the hospitalized truck drivers was from Louisville, Kentucky, and is believed to only have suffered minor cuts and bruises.

So far no citations have been made, police said, but an investigation is ongoing. The interstate remained closed for much of the morning and drivers were detoured around the scene, which was littered with packages that had spilled out of FedEx and UPS trucks.

Because of the sheer size and weight of semi-trucks, it is absolutely imperative that drivers have their full attention on the road at all times. Had the third trucker in the second accident been paying full attention behind the wheel, the accident likely would have been avoided.

Source: Journal & Courier, "All northbound I-65 lanes now open after crashes (update)," Sept. 2, 2011.