A major winter storm blanketed central Indiana this weekend, triggering a massive pileup involving approximately 45 vehicles on Interstate-70 near Terre Haute.
Around a dozen people suffered minor injuries and were transported to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment, local news station WTHI reported.
The most significant incident occurred Saturday afternoon in Vigo County, with westbound I-70 closed for hours as authorities managed the aftermath and continued to warn residents against non-essential travel, Matt Ames, Indiana State Police (ISP) Public Information Officer, said in a post on Facebook.
Newsweek reached out to ISP by email for more information Saturday.
Why It Matters
The major storm system tore through the Midwest on Saturday, causing travel disruptions and raising public safety concerns following the Thanksgiving holiday.
With winter incoming, law enforcement officials have renewed calls for increased caution and preparedness on roads, aiming to prevent similar occurrences as snow and ice conditions recur throughout the season.
What To Know
The pileup on I-70 was first reported just after noon on Saturday, near the 15-mile marker close to Terre Haute.
Initial police reports estimated 20 to 30 vehicles involved, but authorities later raised this figure to roughly 45 as the extent of the chain-reaction became clear. Photographs from state traffic cameras depicted a scene of widespread wreckage, with many vehicles scattered across and off the highway.
Ames confirmed that the incident occurred on the westbound side of I-70, while the eastbound lanes also saw several slide-offs attributed to the wintry conditions.
Cleanup of the wreckage is expected to take several hours, with the westbound lanes remaining closed for an estimated six hours following the accident.
Authorities reported that, despite the number of vehicles involved, there were no major injuries. Emergency crews from the county and surrounding areas responded to the scene, working throughout the afternoon to clear vehicles and assist affected motorists, WTHI reported.
Vigo County and much of central Indiana were under a winter weather advisory, with the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasting between one and four inches of snow and wind gusts up to 35 miles per hour through Sunday morning.
Across central Indiana, more than 130 crashes were reported over a 24-hour period, including 18 with injuries, according to a report from WTHR. Police cited slick, snow-covered roads and reduced visibility as contributing factors.
Law enforcement and state officials have urged drivers to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary and to drive cautiously if venturing out. Speed reduction, increased following distances, and clearing all vehicle windows of snow and ice have been repeatedly emphasized.
What People Are Saying
Matt Ames, Public Information Officer for Indiana State Police, said in a Facebook video on Saturday: “People just need to drive smart when the snow starts falling, reduce your speed, make sure you’re buckled up, and let’s just all be safe out there.”
What Happens Next?
Authorities warned that the cold weather will persist into the coming days, with hazardous conditions likely to recur as additional storms move through the Midwest.