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2 dead after crash involving van, semi on Interstate 465 Thursday night

Crash occurred on westbound lanes near Michigan Road
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Posted at 10:07 AM, Feb 26, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-26 10:07:43-05

INDIANAPOLIS — Two men died late Thursday after a van crashed into the back of a semi-tractor trailer that was stopped on the side of Interstate 465 on the city's northwest side, police said.

Emergency crews were called to the scene at 11:52 p.m. after the crash on I-465 westbound near Michigan Road. First responders found the wreckage of a full-size van that had crashed into the rear of the semi. Two men who were unconscious and unresponsive were trapped inside the van.

Indianapolis Fire Department crews worked to free the men, but the passenger, Brenden Harper, 25, of Indianapolis, was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver, Andrew Blackwell, 33, of Indianapolis, died at an area hospital.

Indiana State Police Crash Reconstructionists determined the driver of the semi-tractor trailer had pulled over to the right side of the road due to a mechanical issue.

"A white full size cargo van ran off the road and struck the back of the trailer," Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine said in a news release. "Indications are the semi-tractor trailer was not in the travel lane and had emergency flashers activated."

The semi's driver requested a medical evaluation, but was not hospitalized.

The westbound lanes of I-465 were restricted for four hours after the crash.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing. Police did not release any other information.