A deadly and fiery collision took place on I-65 in downtown Indianapolis early Friday morning, leading to the death of one individual and the closure of the northbound lanes for several hours. The multi-vehicle incident included a semi and two passenger cars, occurring between Meridian and MLK streets at approximately 1 a.m., according to WRTV.
Indiana State Police have launched an investigation into the crash that not only claimed a life but also saw one of the cars and the semi-truck go up in flames. The aftermath of the accident was a somber scene with the intense fire captured in images and video circulating on social media. The highway remained shut down well into the morning. As declared by Indiana State Police in a FOX59 report, the tragic chain of events started when a passenger car stopped on the interstate and made a 911 call for assistance, only to be hit by another car, which was then struck by the semi.
Officials reported heavy smoke and flames visible from a great distance, marking the crash site near West Street. "The driver of the car was trapped in the wreckage and pronounced dead at the scene," disclosed a spokesperson for the Indiana State Police to WTHR. The third driver involved was reportedly not hospitalized.
During the incident, authorities revealed that one of the victims, while on the phone with a dispatcher about the first crash, was hit again in a second collision. The details of the fatalities and the injuries to the second driver are still unclear as the investigation continues.
With the area still closed, state police urged drivers to avoid the location and take alternate routes. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with updates expected as officials gather more information.
