I-70 cleaned up after 40-car pileup

HENDRICKS COUNTY (WISH) - Interstate 70 is open again and most people have been released from the hospital after about 40 vehicles crashed on I-70 in Hendricks County Thursday afternoon. The crash sent 12 people to local hospitals.

The pileup included 20 semitrailers and another 15-20 other types of vehicles, and Indiana State Police officials are saying weather was a factor. The incident happened at 2:09 p.m. on I-70 near Bottom Road.

• PHOTOS | Photos from the scene

At 7:45 p.m., I-70 eastbound lanes were reopened. All lanes of I-70 WB from SR 267 were reopened shortly after 9 p.m.

• VIDEO | View video from the crash scene
• VIDEO | Chopper 8 flies over the crash scene

Six patients were transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital. One was treated and released and four others are listed in stable condition.

One patient is listed in critical condition.

"He's very critically ill or injured. He's out of surgery now but he's still badly off," says Robert Lawrence Reed, Director of Trauma Services at IU Health Methodist Hospital. "His lungs received a lot of damage and he's in the intensive care unit getting worked over right now."

• ONLINE EXTRA | Hospitals prepared for crash victims

The four patients sent to IU Health West Hospital were treated and released Thursday evening.

Two other patients were taken to Hendricks Regional Hospital. Their conditions are unknown.

The crash happened the same day Detroit saw a mile long stretch of crashes that left three people dead and 20 people injured.

• VIDEO EXTRA | Witnesses recall I-70 crash

INDOT media relations says there was no damage to the bridge at the crash location.

The wreckage was removed to the I-70 westbound rest park for further investigation. Haz-Mat responded to the scene to clean up fuel and vehicle lubricants that leaked due to the crash.