PUTNAM COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — 2nd Update: Indiana State Police have announced that both lanes of westbound Interstate 70 have been reopened to traffic as of 3:35 p.m.
1st Update: One person has died and two others, including a small child, have been flown from the scene of a crash on Interstate 70 in Putnam County.
According to Indiana State Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Matt Ames, at 8 a.m. Friday, Police were diverting traffic into one lane due to a crash at the 30 mile marker of I-70.
A warning sign with flashing lights had been placed ahead of the scene and a patrol vehicle with flashing lights was placed ahead to alert drivers of the slowed traffic.
Ames said a pickup truck failed to observe the warnings and traffic and drove into the back-end of a semi tractor trailer. The semi driver, a 49-year-old Indianapolis man had reportedly activated his hazard lights due to the slow/stopped traffic.
According to Police, the driver of the pickup truck, 54-year-old Norma Rivera of New Castle, Delaware was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash by the Putnam County Coroner’s Office. Two passengers, a man and a small child, were flown from the scene by helicopter to Indianapolis hospitals with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
Drugs and alcohol are NOT believed to be contributing factors to the crash.
As of 2:07 p.m. eastbound lanes had been reopened to traffic with westbound lanes remaining reduced to a single lane at mile marker 30.
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Image shows traffic backed up in I-70 as a result of a “serious” crash involving a semi and a passenger vehicle. (Megan Halstead/Travis Sparks) -
Image shows traffic backed up in I-70 as a result of a “serious” crash involving a semi and a passenger vehicle. (Megan Halstead/Travis Sparks) -
Image shows traffic backed up in I-70 as a result of a “serious” crash involving a semi and a passenger vehicle. (Megan Halstead/Travis Sparks) -
Image shows traffic backed up in I-70 as a result of a “serious” crash involving a semi and a passenger vehicle. (Megan Halstead/Travis Sparks)
Original: A semi vs passenger vehicle crash has caused state police to shut down all four lanes of Interstate 70 in Putnam county.
INDOT’s Trafficwise website is estimating a closure of four hours as crews work to clear the scene. Indiana State Police Sgt. Matt Ames confirmed the crash was located at the 35 mile marker and said the time of reopening is “TBD.”
Traffic is being diverted off the roadway at the U.S. 231 exit near mile marker 41.
No word yet on potential injuries involved, but Sgt. Ames called the incident a “serious crash” in text communications with WTWO.
Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes and avoid the area.
This is a developing story, follow MyWabashValley.com for updates as they become available.
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