A deadly vehicle fire involving a semi-truck prompted the complete shutdown of Interstate 65 southbound near the Southport Road exit, wreaking havoc on today's traffic through Indianapolis. The Indiana Department of Transportation confirmed the incident took place near mile marker 102.9 on the city’s south side, causing all southbound lanes to come to a standstill. The situation also impacted northbound flow, with traffic maps indicating significant delays in the area.
Indiana State Police reported that the semi burst into flames, resulting in at least one fatality. As crews worked to clear the scene, drivers were strongly advised to find alternate routes to avoid the gridlocked thoroughfare. According to FOX59, this closure brought southbound traffic to a complete stop, damping any prospect for swift passage through the vicinity. The repercussions of the event quickly to spread the adjacent roadways, with backups extending to I-465.
The Indiana State Police's online communication revealed the extent of the flames, describing the semi as "fully engulfed." News 8 Meteorologist Marcus Bailey, who drove past the crash scene, noted that only the trailer appeared to be on fire, mentioning the absence of the cab which might have struck a Greenwood exit sign. The crash occurred sometime around 10:30 a.m., with WISH-TV reporting that the semi was the solitary vehicle involved in the accident. The identity of the person killed has yet to be released.
As the investigation continued, drivers were left to navigate the congested arteries of the interstate, the blocked rampways a testament to the incident's severity. A statement on social media from an Indiana State Police spokesperson asked motorists to seek alternative routes, a plea echoed by traffic authorities in the wake of the crash. "Emergency responders are on scene of a single vehicle fatal crash," the spokesperson relayed, evoking an image of a thoroughfare engulfed in a state of emergency, as reported by WTHR.
