'Biggest Wreck' Ever Witnessed by Fire Department Halts Indiana Traffic for Hours | Carscoops
The Indiana State Police described the situation as miraculous after a 45-vehicle accident on I-70 resulted in no significant injuries, creating chaos on a snowy highway.
On Saturday, a collision involving 45 vehicles occurred on the snowy I-70 highway near Terre Haute.
Despite the large-scale incident, there were no major injuries reported.
The Riley Fire Department labeled it their largest crash response to date.
Although it is still technically fall, many areas in the northern United States are experiencing winter-like conditions. On Saturday, at least 45 individuals in Indiana faced this reality when a significant pile-up caused traffic to halt.
Fortunately, authorities reported that there were no major injuries. Nevertheless, the incident serves as a stark reminder of how rapidly road conditions can become hazardous with the drop in temperature.
The accident took place on Interstate 70 outside Terre Haute, Indiana, as snow and ice turned the roadway into a hazardous surface. As visibility decreased, vehicles started to slide off the road. Initial collisions quickly led to a chain reaction involving multiple vehicles, causing cars, trucks, and semis to spread across the highway.
Indiana's Department of Transportation captured the chaos in a detailed manner. According to NBC 5, Indiana State Police Public Information Officer Matt Ames initially estimated the pile-up to involve only a few dozen cars.
“This is about a 20-to-30 car pileup right here that’s unnecessary,” Ames stated. “People just need to drive carefully when it starts snowing, decrease their speed, ensure they're buckled up, and let’s all stay safe.”
Ultimately, the number of vehicles involved reached 45, and in what seems like a blend of luck and physics, police confirmed that there were no serious injuries during the incident.
A spokesperson from the Riley Fire Department informed WTWO 2 that this was the “largest wreck” they had ever managed. Firefighters and police spent nearly six hours clearing I-70, with traffic finally resuming around 7 p.m. local time.
While this happened, the eastbound side of I-70 experienced similar slide-offs but no significant collisions. The National Weather Service had already issued a winter weather advisory for the area.
Snow accumulation could reach four inches, accompanied by wind gusts of up to 35 mph. While this may not seem significant, it is more than enough to create perilous road conditions.
Even a small amount of moisture on a seemingly clear road can lead to pile-ups. This incident serves as a further reminder that this season often brings such occurrences, urging everyone to prioritize safety.
Tow companies in West Central Indiana are expected to have a busy day. Pictures from the substantial pile-up on westbound I-70 in Vigo County have surfaced. According to reports, over 100 vehicles (with some estimates at 160) were “involved,” with 45 cars showing some level of damage.
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'Biggest Wreck' Ever Witnessed by Fire Department Halts Indiana Traffic for Hours | Carscoops
The Indiana State Police referred to it as a miracle when a 45-car pileup on I-70 resulted in no serious injuries, transforming a snowy roadway into a scene of chaos.
