INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana State Police (ISP) were summoned to an eight-vehicle crash, on New Year’s Day at 3:40 a.m., on southbound I-465 on the west side of Indianapolis. One person involved in the accident was severely injured and transported to the hospital. Several lanes were closed for the investigation.
Off-duty trooper Kendra Gonzalez was called to assist with the crash reconstruction and parked her patrol car in the closed area of the crash scene with her emergency lights activated. At 6:48 a.m., it was struck by a car driven by Tony Staker, 45, of Indianapolis. Gonzalez was standing outside her vehicle when the collision occurred but was not injured.
ISP says a subsequent investigation led to probable cause that Staker was under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and taken to a hospital for a blood draw. The result of that test is pending. He was then incarcerated at Marion County Jail, charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
The cause of the multi-vehicle crash is still under investigation.
