CHARLOTTESVILLE — Two crashes near the Hancock County-Henry County line kept traffic on westbound Interstate 70 at a standstill for about an hour Monday morning.
The first accident involved a single vehicle that went off the roadway around 6:30 a.m., Hancock County Sheriff’s Capt. Robert Campbell said. Four other cars were involved in a subsequent crash while attempting to slow down near the scene, he said.
Police said Robert Chandler of Spiceland was driving a white Chevrolet SUV on westbound I-70 when he veered off the interstate near mile marker 109. Chandler was reportedly ejected from the car but suffered only minor injuries. He was alert and responsive at the scene of the accident but told police he was unsure what caused him to crash. Campbell said police believe Chandler fell asleep at the wheel.
While attempting to avoid traffic near the scene, four other drivers were involved in rear-end collisions. Two of those drivers were treated for minor injuries at the scene, Campbell said.
Westbound lanes of I-70 were closed for about an hour while crews cleared the five vehicles from the area. Indiana State Police assisted at the scene.