Local Resident Severely Injured In Shepherdsville I-65 Crash, Showing Improvements After Reconstructive Surgery

David "Dink" Houchin, (61) of Brownsville

Darren Doyle, story:
A Brownsville man was severely injured in an accident involving a tractor trailer on I-65 yesterday in Shepherdsville.

According to a Shepherdsville Police report, a 2002 Peterbuilt semi lost a trailer load which contained 42,000 pounds of rolled steel. The report also said that the out-of-control trailer went into the center portion of the highway and threw debris into the air and into oncoming northbound traffic. The truck was reportedly registered to O and I Transport out of Michigan City, IN, driven by Jeffery Lee Mayfield, (48) of Louisville. 

The report also stated that this debris was thrown into the path of David Houchin, (61) of Brownsville, who was traveling north on I-65 in a 2010 Ford Expedition. Houchin reportedly swerved to avoid the debris and clipped a 2013 Ford Edge, driven by Mindy Tucker (39) of Cox's Creek, KY. This caused Houchin's vehicle to leave the roadway where it collided with a tree.

Houchin suffered severe head and facial injuries and was taken to University of Louisville Hospital by Bullitt County EMS.

According to family members, Houchin was traveling to a Louisville hospital to visit his brother Terry, who had been ill for quite some time. Houchin, who is more commonly known as "Dink," and a longtime employee of the Bank of Edmonson County, is showing improvement after surgery, according to his brother, Tommy.

"They took him to surgery last night about 10 o'clock," said Tommy. "They were concerned that he might lose his eye, but after reconstructive surgery, it seems to be doing much better today. He was responding to verbal commands this morning, which is an extremely positive sign."

The report does not say what caused the semi truck to lose the load and the Shepherdsville Police declined to give any further information than what was listed on the report.

"We know everyone's been praying for us and we appreciate it," Tommy said. "Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers."

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