ISP: Driving too fast for conditions causes crashes

PUTNAMVILLE - Indiana State Police Troopers from the Putnamville Post were kept very busy this afternoon responding to numerous traffic related events,  Sgt. Joe Watts reports this evening.

In fact, troopers responded to 50 Property Damage Crashes; three personal injury crashes; and eight slide-offs between the hours of  noon and 8:30 p.m.Most of the crashes and slide-offs occurred on I-70 in Putnam County, few occurred in Clay and Vigo counties.

Officials remind drivers to use caution and slow down when driving on snow and ice-covered roadways.

"Overwhelming cause of these events is driving too fast for conditions," Watts said.

At 3 p.m., four people were suffered non-life threatening injuries in a 12-vehicle crash that occurred in the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the 31 mile marker in Putnam County.   The victims were treated for lacerations and complaints of pain. Clean-up of the scene took several hours.

Shortly after, at about 3:20 p.m., a larger crash event occurred in the westbound lanes of I-70 near the 46 mile marker in Putnam County.

"The crash involved an estimated 50 vehicles with only seven injuries, all believed to be non-life threatening; ranging from pain, lacerations, to possible fractures," Watts said, adding that the investigation is ongoing at this time.

I-70 WB 46 mm is still closed, but troopers hope to have one lane open by 10:00p.m., he said.