Slick conditions create tricky commute

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Roads around the metro area were slick Wednesday morning, prompting dozens of car crashes, including ones that killed or injured motorists.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officials said their officers had responded to 56 rush hour accidents, including seven that left people injured. At 8 a.m., they were also getting reports of up to 10 additional wrecks.

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Interstate 65 was a particular trouble spot near 38th Street Wednesday morning, where a handful of crashes happened within the same one mile of roadway. But, no one was injured. ISP officials said slick conditions were contributing to the issues.

A Warren Township school bus was involved in a crash near East 21st Street and Franklin Road. The front end of a car was under the back end of the bus.

Despite dozens and dozens of accidents, DPW felt good about its road clearing efforts.

“I think we did an excellent job. Based upon the forecast, based upon our preparedness, we are always prepared to call in extra help no matter what that forecast is,” said DPW spokesperson Steve Hardiman.

Hardiman says the department deploys trucks based upon the forecast.  As conditions changed overnight, DPW deployed an additional 24 trucks bring the total to 30 by 6:30 a.m.

Additional issues were seen overnight and Wednesday morning on the south side of Indianapolis , where a crash left people injured, and in Hendricks County along I-74, where an incident left two people dead.

On the north side, a number of accidents were reported along 86th Street. Near Township Line Road, an SUV ended up in a retention pond .