Semi Driver Dies After Crashing Into I-70 Bridge, Certain Lanes Closed

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A lane in each direction of I-70 is still closed while crews continue cleaning up the scene of a serious semi crash that killed the driver involved, Indiana State Police said. The crash happened just before 9 a.m. this morning, where crews were called to the scene on I-70, just before the 96 mile marker under the Mt. Comfort Road overpass, police report. That's where first responders found a semi-tractor trailer that had struck the concrete bridge support in the I-70 median, causing the tanker trailer to break in half and spill thousands of gallons of oil into the road.

ISP said the driver of the semi was ejected, and found in the grass by Buck Creek Township Fire Department medics, who transported the victim to the hospital where they later died. State Police said Hancock County Sheriff's Department, INDOT, IDEM and Garner's Wrecker Service also assisted at the scene.

Police ask drivers to drive with caution in the area of the crash, and seek other routes as Indiana Department of Environmental Management HAZMAT crews continue cleaning up the large amount of oil that was spilled.

Police say the crash is still under investigation, but information gathered so far leads investigators to believe the semi-tractor trailer had a tire failure causing it to run off the road, through a guardrail and hit the bridge support.

Original Patch report

Indiana State Police report both directions of Interstate 70 are closed at Mt. Comfort Road after a semi truck crashed into the bridge at mile-marker 95, spilling oil into the road. Police say the driver was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. I-70 will remain closed at Mt. Comfort Road until clean-up crews arrive, as traffic driving through the scene was spreading oil.

Crash on I-70 in Hancock County https://t.co/FtEgA2Jvzx
— Sgt. John Perrine (@ISPIndianapolis) September 27, 2017

ISP Sergeant John Perrine, Public Information Officer for Central Indiana, tells drivers to seek alternate routes at this time.

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Top Photo: Indiana State Police