Tuesday fatality reported in multi-vehicle crash in Clay County

A blaze rolls after three semis were involved in a fatal crash on Interstate 70 near Brazil Tuesday evening. Traffic was backed up to the Cloverdale exit for several hours.

Courtesy Paul Steven Baty

BRAZIL — On Tuesday evening, Interstate 70 was the scene of a multiple-vehicle accident that closed the highway in both directions for multiple hours.

Clay County Sheriff Paul Harden said Wednesday morning the county is working on the accident, but only limited information has been available as Thursday afternoon.

The Indiana State Police is performing an accident reconstruction and details are pending.

The crash occurred near the 26-mile marker of the westbound lane of I-70.

A fatality was reported and confirmed by the Clay County Coroner’s Office. But no identification is provided pending notification of family.

Coroner Nick French said identification could happen as early as Wednesday afternoon. However, the autopsy results, which will be performed by pathologist Dr. Roland Khor at Terre Haute Regional Hospital, could take up to six weeks to determine a cause of death.

A chain-reaction rear-end collision between three semis occurred involving distracted driving. The semi that started the accident apparently caught fire with an unidentified driver inside. Further details, including the driver’s identity, have not been released pending notification of family.

Clay County Sheriff’s officers were on the scene of the accident shortly after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announced an alert around 8 p.m. Tuesday, announcing one of the semis reportedly caught fire.

No other injuries were reported during the accident involving no other vehicles.

Traffic was shut down by ISP around 8 p.m. in both lanes, diverting motorists at the 41-mile marker near the Cloverdale exit and the 23-mile marker.

Clay County 911 Director Melissa Gambill confirmed other departments were working the accident, including STAR Ambulance and Jackson, Posey and Center Point volunteer fire departments.

The members of these departments remained on the scene until after 3 a.m. Wednesday to clear away the wreckage and put out the fire.

The ISP Motor Carrier Division is investigating the information for the three semis.

Story will be updated when more information is available.