Multiple Accidents Shut Down Indiana Highway

From the Muncie Star Press:

"Three massive multi-vehicle accidents on Interstate 69 in Hamilton and Madison counties Tuesday claimed three lives and closed the interstate's southbound lanes, as far north as Ind. 28 in Delaware County, for several hours.

Two of the people killed were in a truck involved in a 34-vehicle pileup near Fishers. A third victim, who later died in a hospital, was trapped in a badly damaged car for several minutes, and as many as 10 others were injured less severely in that chain-reaction crash, about 9:45 a.m., that involved nine semitrailers and a fire truck.

That interstate crash, along with two others -- one near Ind. 38 involving 18 vehicles, and another near Ind. 13 that damaged 11 vehicles -- took hours to clean up.

State police late Tuesday identified the dead as two Anderson residents -- Dustin R. Goetmann, 27, and Ryan A. Phillips, 28 -- and a third victim whose name was being withheld pending notification of relatives.

As a result of the crash, the southbound lanes of the interstate were closed to traffic for more than 12 hours, finally reopening about 10 p.m.

Authorities contended with a sudden storm in the late morning and early afternoon that dumped as much as four inches of snow between Muncie and Indianapolis.

Indiana State Police Sgt. Mike Burns said the Fishers crash started as a chain reaction as a Fishers fire truck was traveling southbound to assist with an overturned vehicle.

Burns said motorists were traveling way too fast and in too close proximity given the weather and road conditions, contributing to the massive pileup.

"I have been out here 30 years and I have never seen anything like it," said Burns, who was at that crash scene much of the day.

Dozens of wreckers continued to tow crashed cars and semis from the various accident scenes Tuesday afternoon and evening.

The snowfall in Delaware County caused several slide-offs and collisions, but none as serious as the Fishers crash, which saw one victim trapped in the wreckage for more than an hour."

With the recent severe winter weather that has plagued the Midwest, drivers need to be extra cautious on the roads and highways.  The law firm of Gray and White Law represents the victims of truck and auto accidents.  If you or a loved one were injured in an accident involving a truck, semi, and/or commercial vehicle, protect your rights.  Contact the experienced legal team at Gray and White Law for your free consultation.

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