A powerful winter storm sweeping across central Indiana triggered a massive pileup on Interstate 70 near Terre Haute on Saturday, involving approximately 45 vehicles and sending around a dozen people to local hospitals with minor injuries, according to WTHI.
The most significant incident unfolded Saturday afternoon in Vigo County, where westbound I-70 was shut down for hours as emergency crews worked to treat the injured, clear wreckage, and warn residents to avoid unnecessary travel. Indiana State Police (ISP) Public Information Officer Matt Ames shared updates in a Facebook post, urging drivers to stay off the roads amid worsening conditions.
Newsweek has reached out to ISP for additional information.
Why It Matters
The storm swept the Midwest during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, complicating post-Thanksgiving travel and raising broader safety concerns as winter weather settles in. State officials are now renewing calls for caution, preparedness, and slower driving as snow and ice are expected to return throughout the season.
What to Know
The pileup was initially reported shortly after noon near the 15-mile marker on I-70. Early reports estimated 20–30 vehicles were involved, but that number rose to around 45 as the scale of the chain-reaction crash became clear.
Images from state traffic cameras showed cars, trucks, and semi-trailers scattered across lanes and off the roadway, with both westbound and eastbound lanes experiencing slide-offs due to slick conditions.
Cleanup is expected to take several hours, and authorities estimated westbound lanes would remain closed for roughly six hours after the crash. Despite the dramatic scene, officials confirmed no major injuries.
Emergency crews from Vigo County and surrounding jurisdictions responded throughout the afternoon, assisting stranded motorists and removing damaged vehicles.
The National Weather Service placed central Indiana under a winter weather advisory, forecasting 1–4 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 35 mph through Sunday morning.
Across the region, more than 130 crashes were reported within 24 hours—18 involving injuries—as snow-covered roads and reduced visibility created hazardous conditions, according to WTHR.
Officials continue to stress safe winter driving practices, including reducing speed, increasing following distance, and fully clearing snow and ice from vehicles.
What People Are Saying
ISP spokesperson Matt Ames urged drivers to take weather conditions seriously, saying in a Saturday video posted to Facebook:
“People just need to drive smart when the snow starts falling. Reduce your speed, make sure you’re buckled up, and let’s just all be safe out there.”
What Happens Next
Cold temperatures and additional storms are expected in the coming days, meaning hazardous road conditions may persist across the Midwest. Authorities continue to advise avoiding travel unless absolutely necessary.