Vigo County—Late this afternoon at 4:48, Indiana State Police and Vigo County emergency agencies responded to a three vehicle crash in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the four mile-marker. The crash involved two semis and one passenger car with three fatalities in the car and one fatality in a tractor-trailer driver, all deceased at the scene.
Preliminary investigation revealed fire department units and tow recovery units were working a small tractor-trailer brake fire on the eastbound shoulder of Interstate 70 near the four mile marker. Traffic was moving slowly for the fire units working the scene, when suddenly an eastbound tractor-trailer failed to slow and struck a passenger car in the rear, forcing the passenger car into the rear of another tractor-trailer. During the initial collision, the car erupted in flames and the occupants were deceased at the scene. The tractor-trailer driver who failed to slow was also pronounced deceased at the scene from his injuries. The second tractor-trailer driver was identified as 49-year-old Eric C. Johnson of Fort Worth, Texas and he was not injured. Identities of all deceased victims will take some time. Troopers believe the three occupants in the car may be from Indiana and the deceased tractor-trailer driver may be from Michigan.
Eastbound lanes were closed after crash with eastbound traffic utilizing US 40 or another route of their choice. Most likely, it will be the early morning hours before the eastbound lanes are open. Cleanup and extrication efforts for semi driver are still ongoing at this time.
The crash is being investigated by ISP Master Trooper Jason Schoffstall.
Others assisting were ISP Putnamville Troopers, ISP Crash Reconstructionists, ISP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Troopers, Vigo County Sheriff’s Office, Vigo County Coroner’s Office, Terre Haute Fire Department, Sugar Creek Fire/Rescue, Seelyville Fire/Rescue, Honey Creek Fire/Rescue, Otter Creek Fire/Rescue, Riley Fire/EMS, Vigo County Hazmat Team, IDEM, Peffley and Hinshaw Wrecker Service, and MISCO Crane Service.
