Interstate Incident

Interstate 70 near the State Road 243 exit in western Putnam County was closed or reduced to one lane for several hours Friday after a one-vehicle accident occurred about 12:30 p.m. The interstate was back open completely by 7:30 p.m. The accident was reportedly caused when the driver of a GDS Express semi loaded with paint cans steered into the north embankment of the westbound lanes. The semi traveled several hundred feet in a ditch before coming to rest on its side. At this time it's unknown why the driver, who reportedly suffered only minor injuries, veered off. Indiana State Police officers are investigating the accident. Due to the dangerous location of the incident, ISP requested help with traffic control from the Putnam County Sheriff's Department.