Fatal crash on I-70 westbound near Holt Road exit leaves 1 dead

Woman dead after multi-vehicle crash on I-70

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — This story has been updated to include the victim’s name.

A woman died early Sunday morning in a crash on Interstate 70 westbound on the southwest side of Indianapolis.

The Marion County Coroner’s Office later identified her as Tara Strahl, 45.

Online police reports show the crash happened at 12:33 a.m. Sunday.

Indiana State Police say troopers were called to the scene at the 77-mile marker of I-70 after multiple 911 callers reported a woman lying in the middle of the road. That area is near the Holt Road exit just past Belmont Avenue and South Harding Street.

Upon arrival, they found three heavily damaged cars and several other vehicles stopped on the side of the road. They located Strahl, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Crash investigators believe Strahl was driving when she hit the outer barrier wall then crossed all lanes before striking the inside wall before stopping in the left lane.

While she was standing outside her vehicle, another car hit her car, launching her into the roadway. She was then hit by another vehicle.

State police say everyone involved stayed on the scene. Drugs and alcohol aren’t suspected to be factors in the incident.

According to INDOT, all lanes of I-70 westbound were closed between the Holt Road and Harding Street exits while crews were on the scene. The roads reopened just before 7 a.m.