A chaotic scene unfolded on an Indiana interstate as a colossal pileup involving 45 vehicles brought holiday traffic to a grinding halt. The multi-vehicle collision occurred on Interstate 70, approximately ten miles from Terre Haute, as drivers were returning home from their holiday celebrations.
Chaos on the Interstate
The incident involved a mix of both commercial lorries and passenger cars. The severity of the crash was such that several vehicles slid across the entire eastbound side of the highway, coming to rest in the median and the grass. Some even careened towards oncoming traffic on the westbound side, creating an extremely dangerous situation.
The crash took place in Vigo County, an area of western Indiana that was, at the time, under an active winter weather advisory. This advisory remained in effect until 10 am on Sunday, warning residents of the treacherous conditions.
Hazardous Driving Conditions
According to weather reports, the region was experiencing snowfall of up to three inches, combined with powerful wind gusts reaching speeds as high as 35 mph. These blustery weather conditions created icy and slippery roads, leading officials to explicitly warn motorists to 'plan on slippery road conditions.'
In response to the massive pileup, the Indiana State Police issued a stark announcement. They confirmed that the incident would cause a six-hour traffic halt during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
Official Warnings and Outcome
Taking to social media, Sargant Matt Ames offered clear advice to the public: 'If you can stay home, just stay home.' He further emphasised crucial travel safety tips for winter driving, stating, 'People need to drive smart when the snow starts falling, reduce your speed. Make sure you're buckled up.'
Despite the scale of the collision and the terrifying images it produced, authorities reported a fortunate outcome. No major injuries have been reported from the 45-car pileup, a remarkable fact given the potential for tragedy.
