Around 45 vehicles were involved in a massive pileup on an Indiana interstate as snow pummeled the region, authorities said.
The pileup was reported along Interstate 70 near the 15-mile marker, which is approximately 10 miles from Terre Haute. Images from an Indiana Department of Transportation traffic camera showed vehicles strewn across the interstate, including multiple vehicles that had driven into the grass.
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While the large chain-reaction crash occurred in the westbound lanes, a number of slide-offs were reported on the eastbound side as well, Indiana State Police Public Information Officer Matt Ames said in a Facebook video.
No major injuries were reported, he said. Police initially estimated 20 to 30 vehicles were involved but later updated the number to around 45.
In the video posted on social media, Ames pleaded with residents to stay home.
“This is about a 20-to-30 car pileup right here that’s unnecessary,” he said. “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.”
The westbound lanes were shut down following the collision and were expected to remain closed for roughly six hours, state police said.
Vigo County, where the crash occurred, is under a winter weather advisory until 10 a.m. Sunday. Snowfall totals between one and four inches – along with wind gusts of up to 35 miles per hour – are expected, the National Weather Service said.
