A tragic accident on Interstate 70 westbound near downtown Indianapolis resulted in one fatality Friday afternoon, as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding a collision between a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck at the notorious North Split interchange. The incident occurred around 4:45 p.m. in the westbound lanes of I-70 approaching I-65, commonly known as the North Split, one of central Indiana's busiest highway intersections serving approximately 220,000 motorists daily. According to Indiana State Police, preliminary investigations suggest the semi-truck driver braked abruptly, causing a load of plywood to fall from the truck's flatbed trailer. The truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency responders closed the westbound lanes of the highway for several hours during the investigation, creating significant traffic disruptions through downtown Indianapolis. Investigators are examining whether another vehicle made an abrupt lane change in front of the semi-truck immediately before the crash, which may have contributed to the fatal sequence of events. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns at this critical transportation hub that has undergone recent major reconstruction efforts.

Location and Infrastructure

The North Split represents one of Indiana's most complex and heavily traveled highway interchanges, where Interstate 65 and Interstate 70 converge in downtown Indianapolis. This intersection was originally built in the 1960s and 1970s and serves 220,000 motorists daily, but over that half century of use, crash rates exceeded statewide urban interstate averages. The interchange was built nearly 50 years ago and reached capacity for traffic, contributing to high crash rates and congestion due to weaving patterns as traffic exits and enters the interstate. The area recently underwent a $350 million reconstruction project that was completed in late 2022, designed to improve safety by eliminating dangerous weaving patterns and reducing merging conflicts. The interchange is locally referred to as the "Spaghetti Bowl" due to its visual complexity of overlapping freeways and overpasses. Despite recent improvements, the location remains challenging for drivers due to heavy traffic volumes and multiple merging points where vehicles from different directions must navigate quickly changing traffic patterns.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Indiana law, this fatal truck accident may give rise to several legal claims and considerations for affected parties. Indiana's wrongful death statute allows survivors to pursue compensation through civil litigation, with a statute of limitations of two years from the date of death. Recoverable damages in wrongful death cases can include medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost future earnings, and loss of love and companionship for surviving dependents. Personal injury claims in Indiana must be filed within two years of the accident date, and the state follows a comparative fault system where damages may be reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned to each party. Commercial truck accidents often involve complex liability issues including potential claims against trucking companies, cargo loaders, and vehicle manufacturers. Insurance considerations may include the truck driver's commercial liability coverage, the trucking company's policies, and potential underinsured motorist coverage for other affected parties. Families should be aware that Indiana caps certain damages, including a $700,000 limit on government liability and specific limits on non-economic damages depending on the victim's dependency status.

Related Resources

Local Emergency Services:

• Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department: (317) 327-3811
• Indianapolis Fire Department: (317) 327-6000
• Indiana State Police: (317) 899-8577
• Marion County Emergency Management: (317) 327-1900

Traffic Safety and Support:

• Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT): (855) 463-6848
• INDOT Hoosier Helpers Freeway Service Patrol: (800) 261-7623
• Indianapolis Traffic Safety: (317) 327-5080
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Indiana: (317) 636-6233

Legal and Victim Support Services:

• Indiana Victim Assistance Program: (800) 353-1484
• Indianapolis Bar Association Lawyer Referral: (317) 269-2000
• Indiana State Bar Association: (317) 639-5465
• Legal Aid Society of Indianapolis: (317) 631-9410

State Traffic Laws and Regulations:

• Indiana Code Title 9 (Motor Vehicles): https://iga.in.gov/laws/ic/titles/009
• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles: https://www.in.gov/bmv/
• Commercial Vehicle Enforcement: https://www.in.gov/isp/commercial-vehicle-enforcement/
• Indiana Traffic Safety Commission: https://www.in.gov/cji/traffic-safety/