08/03/2026
TEEN KILLED IN I-265 CRASH IN FLOYD COUNTY
FLOYD COUNTY, Ind. — The Indiana State Police is investigating a Sunday evening crash on Interstate 265 that claimed the life of a teenage passenger and seriously injured two others.
On Sunday, August 2, at approximately 5:40 p.m., the Floyd County 911 Communications Center received reports of metal rods and fencing lying in the roadway on Interstate 265 eastbound near the State Street exit at the 40-mile marker. Within a short time, a crash was reported in the same area. Officers from the New Albany Police Department responded and requested assistance from the Indiana State Police, including a crash reconstructionist. Indiana State Police has assumed the crash investigation.
The preliminary investigation indicates that a silver 2023 Ford Explorer, occupied by four people, came to a stop in the right lane due to traffic that had stopped because of debris in the roadway. After stopping, the driver, John Garber, 48, of Fort Wayne, attempted to merge into the left lane but was immediately struck from behind by a 2005 Ford F-350 driven by Michael Grant, 69, of New Albany.
A 14-year-old rear-seat passenger in the Explorer sustained fatal injuries. The 14-year-old and a 16-year-old rear-seat passenger were both transported to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville. The 16-year-old sustained serious injuries.
Garber and the front-seat passenger, Jennifer Garber, 51, of Fort Wayne, were transported to UofL Hospital. John Garber sustained injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. Jennifer Garber sustained minor injuries. Michael Grant was not injured.
Interstate 265 eastbound was closed for approximately three hours while emergency personnel assisted at the scene and investigators processed the crash.
The investigation remains ongoing. No charges have been filed at this time. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
The Indiana State Police were assisted at the scene by the New Albany Police Department, The New Albany Fire Department, and the Indiana Department of Transportation.
