Potholes cause problems on I-65

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Three potholes were causing flat tires and a lot of headaches for holiday travelers Saturday, our sister station WLFI reports.

"We nicknamed it the money hole because a man could hang out right here and wait for the flats to happen," Anthony Jackson said after changing tires alongside I-65. "Change the tire and make a quick 35 dollars."

Jackson said he's been going car to car changing tires most of the morning.

Indiana State Police Trooper Sean Swaim said the past three days have been busy enough with holiday travel, but throw in the potholes and Swaim said it's been a nightmare.

"Today alone, just this morning we had nine cars all at once along side the emergency strip changing flat tires due to the pothole," Swaim said.

In the course of three days Swaim said about 25 cars have gotten flat tires because of the potholes. He said if it happens to you change your tire as fast as you can and make sure you're pulled far off the road.

If you're not physically able to change your tire Swaim said you can call a roadside assistance agency or 911 for help.

"It's important to know where you're at," Swaim said about things to make sure you tell dispatchers. "That's why we have mile markers on the interstates. If they can't do it just call and we'll either assist them or we'll get someone there to assist them to change their tire."

If you do have a run in with a pothole on the interstate Swaim said you can contact INDOT and possibly get compensated for the damage to your tire.

"If you get onto the Indiana.gov website you can file a tort claim with the State of Indiana and INDOT and hopefully recover the cost of the flat tire do to a pothole," Swaim said.

As for the three potholes near the 161 mile marker they were repaired late Saturday morning after claiming multiple tires.