Illegal U-turn sparks fiery I-70 crash

BRAZIL, Ind. (WISH) - A fiery crash involving a car and two semis at about 4:40 p.m. Tuesday closed Interstate 70 in western Indiana.

Indiana State Police said a Clay City woman attempted an illegal U-turn from the westbound lanes near the 22-mile marker. Thelma M. Tiefel, 90, was in the right lane of the interstate when she tried to turn onto a paved cross-over through the median. A semi was in the left lane and struck Tiefel’s Chevrolet Malibu in the driver’s side, forcing it back into the right lane and into another semi.

The Malibu came to rest on the north side of the interstate, and emergency crews had to free her from the car. She was flown via medical helicopter to Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis in critical condition, ISP said. Investigators believe she was not wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash.

The semi that made initial impact with the car burst into flames, and the interstate was completely shut down over worries that the trailer’s load could be hazardous. Once the fire was put out and the danger to passing traffic was cleared, eastbound lanes were reopened just before 6 p.m., ISP said.

The driver of that truck Jose A. Tello, 37, Laredo, Texas, was uninjured, as was the driver of the other semi involved Earl G. Mattingly, 47, Brookville.

One westbound lane was reopened at about 6:30 p.m., but cleanup efforts were expected to restrict traffic through the night and into the early morning hours, ISP said.