Tanker fire closes I-465; I-69 reopens

A tanker truck exploded in an earth-shaking ball of fire on I-69 and I-465 this morning, forcing the closure of the latter, likely for weeks, authorities said.

The driver of a vehicle behind the truck was taken to Wishard Memorial Hospital’s burn center with severe burns, according to Lawrence Township Fire Department.

The driver of the truck, Ronald Tobias, 73, Syracuse, was taken to Methodist Hospital with cuts to his face.

Three other people, including a passenger in the truck, were treated at the scene.

The explosion happened about 10:45 a.m. on the southbound I-69 entrance ramp to I-465, according to a state police dispatcher. The ramp carries about 150,000 vehicles daily, according to Ashley Hungate of the Indiana Department of Transportation.

About 12:45 p.m., I-69 reopened in both directions.

Overpass ‘blown out,’ steel girders damaged

State Police Sgt. Anthony Emery said a pillar holding up the east side of the overpass was “blown out” and knocked on its side. Also, two steel girders on the west side of that overpass also sustained damage.

“We’re not talking hours, we’re talking weeks” for repairs, Emery said.

That is dreaded news for any commuters with destinations on the Northeastside, Fishers, Noblesville and points north toward Anderson and Muncie.

Also, nearby train tracks were damaged. The tracks weave below the underpass and carry pleasure trains from Hamilton County to Indianapolis.

This afternoon, state police and INDOT said the crash scene was too hot to start a bridge inspection.

Road closure, restrictions

State police have stopped traffic on I-465 feeding into the blast site.

> I-465 eastbound is closed at Meridian Street (U.S.31). All eastbound I-465 entrance ramps east of that location are closed. Traffic enroute to I-69 will be diverted north on U.S. 31 to Ind. 28, east to I-69.

> I-465 northbound is closed at I-70. All northbound I-465 entrance ramps north of that location are closed.

> I-69 southbound is closed at Ind. 67 in Madison County Traffic will be diverted south on Ind. 67 to Ind. 9 to I-70. All southbound I-69 entrance ramps south of that location are closed.

Traffic on I-69 South was backed up for miles, according to motorists waiting on the road.

The ramp onto I-69 North from I-465 South was open.

Truck driver pulled to safety before explosion

Lawrence Township Fire Marshal Dick Groves said the truck was headed south on the I-69 ramp onto I-465 South when its top hit the overpass. The truck had up to 1,000 gallons of petroleum, he said.

Groves said the fireball could bee seen from two miles away.

The truck’s cab and the liquid propane tank separated and both caught on fire underneath I-465, Groves said. “The flames were licking the bridge all around it,” Grove said.

Workers at a nearby apartment complex rushed to the accident scene before the explosion. Worker Lonnie Hood told WTHR (Channel 13) that they peeled the windshield away and hauled the driver out.

“I was scared the truck was going to blow up in my face,” Hood told The Star’s news-gathering partner.

The explosion was unforgettable, Hood said. “It roared inside my chest.”