The deceased driver from the earlier crash on I-69 has been identified as 23 year old Jaspreet Darar of Fishers Indiana. Investigation into the cause of the crash is still ongoing. Notification has been made to the next of kin by Trooper Bottema and Chaplain Dan Coffey of the Indiana State Police.
The three left lanes of I-69 northbound at the scene are now open, leaving the right two lanes still closed. Emergency crews are still on scene, drivers are asked to use caution as they pass through. The other two injured drivers are reported to have only suffered minor injuries.
***Original release below***
Indianapolis - At approximately 4:40 this morning emergency crews responded to I-69 northbound just south of 96th Street on reports of a serious multiple vehicle crash. Upon arrival, responders found three semi tractor-trailers and three passenger vehicles involved in this chain reaction crash. One driver of a passenger vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene and two other drivers were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The cause of this crash is currently being investigated. Three lanes of I-69 remain closed at this time while the crash is investigated and the wreckage is removed. Crews expect to have all lanes reopned within two hours.
Shortly before the six vehicle crash, construction crews had temporarily closed the northbound lanes of I-69 to set a bridge beam at 106th Street. During that closure there was a separate crash on I-69 northbound just north of 96th Street in which both vehicles caught fire, causing all lanes to once again be closed. Investigation into that crash determined a 2004 Mazda, driven by 23 year old Morgan Thomas of Indianapolis, rear ended a 36 foot box truck. The collision caused both vehicle to become engulfed in flames, however there were no reported injuries. Thomas was arrested on the suspicion of driving while intoxicated and taken to the Hamilton County Jail. The results of her certified blood alcohol test is pending.
These are both ongoing investigations and there are no further information available at this time. The identity of the deceased will be released when notification to next of kin is complete. Any questions about the arrest of Morgan Thomas shall be directed to the Hamilton County Prosecutors Office.
All arrests and subsequent preliminary charges are merely accusations of a crime, formal charges will be determined by the prosecuting attorney. All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Investigating Officers:
Trooper Matthew Helmbrecht (OWI and 1st Crash)
Trooper Cameron Bottema and First Sergeant Tyler Utterback (Fatal)
Assisting Agencies: Fishers Police Department, Fishers Fire Department, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indianapolis Fire Department, INDOT, Marion County Coroner's Office, Marion County Health Department, Zores Towing, Garners Towing
