Truck driver identified
in fatal crash

WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) - Police have identified a truck driver who died at the scene of a multi-vehicle crash in the southbound lane of U.S. 31 at the intersection of State Road 38 Tuesday afternoon.

Just after 2 p.m. emergency crews were called to the scene of the crash, which involved a car and three semis.

According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department a silver sports car was stopped at the light where State Road 38 crosses US 31. Behind the car, two semis were either stopped or inching forward to stop.

Deputies said the driver of the third semi smashed into the back end of one truck creating a chain reaction. Police have identified the driver of the third semi as 51-year-old Richard Crawford. Crawford died at the scene as a result of his injuries.

“We did have a couple of witnesses that did confirm for us further north on US 31 they did see that tractor trailor truck weaving in and out of its lane,” said Vicky Dunbar, Hamilton County Sheriff's Department.

The county coroner will determine if drugs or alcohol were involved.

Emergency crews responded from several local departments. Because of the impact of the crash, the semis became wedged together. That slowed down the cleanup process. A Hazmat crew was brought in to deal with minor oil and gasoline spills.

This isn’t the first fatal accident to take place at the intersection. Three Carmel High School students died in a driver’s ed car back in 1984.

“It’s an intersection with a lot of traffic. We do have a lot of wrecks here,” said Dunbar.

Police said two other drivers involved in the crash were taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.