A serious traffic collision on Interstate 69 southbound in Johnson County, Indiana, resulted in the complete closure of the highway during Monday morning's rush hour. The crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. near the 154 mile-marker, close to Stones Crossing Road and north of State Road 144. According to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, the incident involved a disabled vehicle that had been left partially on the shoulder of I-69 when it was struck by another vehicle. Deputies from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office and officers from the Bargersville Police Department were already responding to the disabled vehicle when the collision occurred. The impact caused significant damage to the stranded car and scattered debris across the roadway, as shown in images released by law enforcement. The driver of the disabled vehicle sustained serious injuries and was transported to IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. The driver of the striking vehicle was evaluated at the scene but did not require hospital transport. All southbound lanes were closed for an undetermined period while crash investigators documented the scene and gathered evidence.

Location and Infrastructure

Interstate 69 in this section of Johnson County is a major north-south corridor connecting Indianapolis to southern Indiana communities. The crash location near mile-marker 154, between Stones Crossing Road and State Road 144, serves commuters traveling from areas including Martinsville, Bloomington, and other southern communities into the Indianapolis metropolitan area. This stretch of I-69 experiences heavy traffic volumes during morning rush hours, particularly between 5:00 and 8:00 a.m. The area near Bargersville and Stones Crossing has seen significant residential and commercial development in recent years, increasing traffic density. The sheriff's office established a traffic diversion at Smith Valley Road, directing southbound motorists off the interstate with access to SR-144 for alternate routes. Highway shoulder width and visibility conditions in this area can create hazardous situations for disabled vehicles, particularly during early morning hours when visibility may be reduced.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Indiana law requires drivers to exercise reasonable care when approaching disabled vehicles, emergency vehicles, or highway workers. The state's "Move Over" law (IC 9-21-8-35) mandates that drivers change lanes or reduce speed when approaching stationary emergency vehicles, tow trucks, or disabled vehicles with activated hazard lights. Victims of traffic accidents in Indiana may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering through insurance claims or civil litigation. Indiana follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning compensation may be reduced if the injured party shares responsibility for the accident. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Indiana is generally two years from the date of the accident (IC 34-11-2-4). Accident victims should document all injuries, preserve evidence, and obtain copies of the official crash report from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office. Insurance considerations may include liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist protection, and medical payments coverage, all of which could apply depending on the specific circumstances of the collision.

Related Resources

• Johnson County Sheriff's Office: (317) 346-6336 - Official crash reports and investigation information
• Bargersville Police Department: (317) 422-5912 - Assisting agency
• Indiana State Police: (317) 899-8500 - State traffic safety information
• IU Health Methodist Hospital: (317) 962-2000 - Treating facility for serious injuries
• Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT): 1-855-INDOT4U - Real-time traffic updates and road conditions
• Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles: www.in.gov/bmv - Driver safety resources and crash report requests
• Indiana Code Title 9 (Motor Vehicles): iga.in.gov - State traffic laws and regulations
• Johnson County Emergency Management: (317) 346-4400 - Local emergency preparedness and response information
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: www.nhtsa.gov - Vehicle safety information and crash statistics