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UPDATE: Officials release new information about Tuesday's fatality on I-70
UPDATEE @ 5-10 p.m.: SUBMITTED PHOTO
UPDATE: Shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday, Clay County Sheriff Paul Hardon clarified some details regarding Tuesday's Interstate 70 multiple vehicle accident.
Clay County Sheriff's officers were on the scene of the accident shortly after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
A chain-reaction rear-end collision between three semis occurred involving distracted driving. The semi that started the accident apparently caught fire with an unidentified driver inside. Further details, including the driver's identity, have not been released pending notification of family.
The Indiana State Police is performing an accident reconstruction, details are pending.
The ISP Motor Carrier Division is investigating the information for the three semis.
No other injuries were reported during the accident involving no other vehicles.
This story will be updated.
ORIGINAL STORY
On Tuesday evening, Interstate 70 was the scene of a multiple-vehicle accident that closed the highway in both directions for multiple hours.
Clay County Sheriff Paul Harden said Wednesday morning the county is working on the accident, but only limited information is available.
The Indiana State Police will perform accident reconstruction, but details are not available yet.
A fatality was reported and confirmed by the Clay County Coroner’s Office. But no identification is provided pending notification of family. Coroner Nick French said identification could happen as early as Wednesday afternoon. However, the autopsy results, which will be performed by pathologist Dr. Roland Khor at Terre Haute Regional Hospital, could take up to six weeks to determine a cause of death.
The crash occurred near the 26-mile-marker of the westbound lane of I-70. It has been reported that at least three semis were involved (and possibly other vehicles) described as an “accident that started with a rear-end collision,” and it just kept going. The cleanup of the accident debris was reported as extensive by ISP Sgt. Matt Ames.
Traffic was shut down by ISP around 8 p.m. in both lanes, diverting motorists at the 41-mile marker near the Cloverdale exit and the 23-mile-marker.
Indiana Department Of Transportation announced an alert around 8 p.m. Tuesday, announcing one of the semis reportedly caught fire. Crews were on the scene until Wednesday morning. INDOT announced again that all lanes were open in both directions as of Wednesday at 6 a.m.
The Brazil Times will update this story when official information is provided.