TERRE HAUTE —
For 12 people in 2010, wrecks in construction zones of Hoosier roads ended in death.
But for those involved in the eight-truck crash that closed Interstate 70 at the 4-mile marker for several hours Monday night, the wrecks ended with relatively minor injuries.
The chain reaction of trucks slamming into each other began when a trucker encountered stopped traffic.
Indiana State Police Sgt. Joe Watts said witnesses reported that traffic had come to a stop for an unknown reason in the construction zone of the eastbound lanes of I-70 before the crash.
“It’s not uncommon for traffic to stop in work zones,” Watts said. “Traffic tends to ebb and flow.”
Police were not able to determine a reason traffic had stopped just before the crash, he said, because vehicles causing the stoppage were far enough ahead of the accident scene that drivers were far down I-70 by the time police reached the crash site.
The eastbound lanes of I-70 were closed until about 2 a.m. for cleanup of the eight wrecked semis and their cargo. The westbound lanes of I-70 were closed for about an hour to allow emergency crews to reach the crash site.
Monday evening’s chain-reaction crash involved eight vehicles hauling cargo. No passenger vehicles were involved.
Here is the sequence of collisions, as Watts described them, based on preliminary investigation:
- The sequence began when a 1999 Western Star tractor pulling a dump trailer that was loaded with scrap metal braked for traffic that was stopped for unknown reasons. That vehicle was driven by Leslie Kramer, 45, of Brownstown, Ill., who was not injured.
- Kramer’s vehicle was rear-ended by a 1999 Volvo tractor pulling a box trailer loaded with dry goods. It was driven by Resham Singh, 34, of Riverside, Calif., who was not injured.
- Singh’s vehicle was then struck in the rear by a tractor-trailer pulling a box trailer with dry freight. That vehicle was driven by Carlos Lozaro, 50, of Fort Worth, Texas. Lozaro was treated at Union Hospital for back pain.
- Lozaro’s vehicle was then struck in the rear by a 2005 Volvo tractor pulling a box trailer loaded with medical supplies. That Volvo was driven by Yanju Wang, 48, of San Gabriel, Calif.
- Wang’s vehicle was then struck in the rear by a tractor-trailer driven by David Eckstrom, 45, of Tekamah, Neb. Eckstrom was treated at Terre Haute Regional Hospital for leg and back pain. His wife, who was a passenger, also was treated for leg and back pain at Regional.
- Eckstrom’s vehicle was struck in the rear by a 2005 International tractor pulling a box trailer loaded with dry goods. It was driven by David B.S. Daniel, 35, of Virden, Ill. He was not injured.
- Daniel’s vehicle was then struck in the rear by a 2007 Kenworth tractor pulling a box trailer loaded with veterinarian supplies. The Kenworth was driven by Joseph Barnosky, 47, of Wyoming, Mich.
- The Barnosky vehicle was then struck in the rear by a Freightliner tractor pulling a box trailer with dry freight. That truck was driven by Michael Shain Barnett, 35, of Anderson, S.C. Barnett was treated at Union Hospital for arm lacerations.
No citations were issued as the crash was still under investigation. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor, police said.
The crash was investigated by ISP Trooper Shilo Raulston. Assisting were other State Police troopers, Vigo County Sheriff’s deputies, Terre Haute Fire/EMS units, Sugar Creek Fire Rescue, Vigo County HazMat unit and Trans-Care Ambulance Service.
The State Police monitor construction zones with special patrols intended to remind motorists to obey reduced speed limits and pay attention.
According to an ISP media release, in addition to 12 deaths, 602 people were injured in work zone crashes throughout Indiana in 2010. If motorists are pulled over for a traffic infraction in a construction zone, they should expect to be issued a citation, he said.
Steeper fines and penalties could face drivers convicted of speeding or reckless driving in a work zone. Signs posted in most work zones warn speeding drivers that they can face fines up to $1,000. Reckless or aggressive drivers can face fines up to $5,000. Drivers whose reckless behavior causes injury or death to a highway worker can face up to eight years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The Indiana State Police offer the following tips to keep all workers and drivers in construction zones safe.
- Watch for orange “Road Construction Ahead” signs and be prepared to react to stopped or slowing traffic. Follow all lane restrictions as posted.
- Do not tailgate and keep your brakes maintained so you can stop in time. Most injuries and deaths in work zones are caused by rear-end collisions. Obey the posted work zone speed limit.
- Do not cut other vehicles off or change lanes across solid white lines. Signal all lane changes.
- Make sure all occupants in your vehicle are properly secured with a seat belt or child safety seat. Seat belts save lives and help prevent minor crashes from becoming major catastrophes.
- Do not engage in distracting behavior such as talking on a cell phone, texting, changing radio stations, eating, applying makeup, or talking to passengers.
- Drivers are encouraged to avoid the congested road conditions often associated with construction zones by seeking alternate routes of travel. Drivers can learn the locations of road construction zones before they depart by calling INDOT’s TrafficWise at 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or on the internet at www.TrafficWise.IN.gov.
- Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.
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