Dense Smoke — Jasper, Indiana

2012-08-18 · Jasper, Indiana

Event narrative

At least 20 vehicles were involved in three separate accidents along a two-mile stretch centered near mile marker 227 on Interstate 65. One indirect fatality and at least four indirect injuries were reported. The wrecks were attributed to smoke from a nearby farm and possibly fog reducing visibility to less than 30 feet. The interstate was closed for seven and a half hours.

Wider weather episode

Dense smoke from a farm that was burning hay reduced visibility to less than 30 feet over portions of Interstate 65 near mile marker 227 leading to three separate collisions involving 20 cars between 6:00 AM CST and 6:18 AM CST. Four injuries and one fatality were reported. The first collision occurred on the northbound side when two semi-trailers wrecked causing a chain reaction involving a total of 12 vehicles. One passenger was killed and one was airlifted in serious condition. Less than half a mile away in the southbound lanes, six vehicles were involved in an accident. A third accident occurred in the southbound lanes involving two cars. Three people were injured.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 410705. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.