6 dead in 2 crashes on I-65 near Elizabethtown

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6 dead in 2 crashes on I-65 near Elizabethtown

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP) - Police say six members of an extended Wisconsin family were killed and two injured when their SUV was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer and burst into flames on a Kentucky highway. Minutes later, another crash in the opposite direction injured three, one critically.

Police say the first crash happened at 11:13 a.m. EST Saturday on northbound Interstate 65 near Elizabethtown.

Police say all occupants of the SUV were from Marion, Wis. They were identified as James Gollnow, 62, and his wife Barbara, 62; Marion Champnise, 92; Sarina Gollnow, 18; Soledad Smith, 8; and Gabriel Zumiga, 10.

Police said Soledad and Gabriel were foster children.

The two survivors were also foster children. Police identified them as Hope Hoth, 15, and Aidian Ejnik, 12.

Police say after the SUV was hit, it hit the car in front of it, but the driver of that vehicle had only minor injuries.

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