Hamilton County, IN — A deadly chain-reaction crash brought US 31 southbound to a standstill early Thursday morning after a Kia Optima, a semi-truck, and a deer became involved in a violent sequence of events just north of Westfield. Authorities say the crash occurred near 256th Street around 4 a.m., prompting an immediate emergency response and hours-long roadway closure.
The initial alert was released by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), which warned drivers to avoid the corridor as first responders rushed to the scene.
Deer Strikes Kia Moments Before Fatal Impact
According to Sgt. Bryan Melton of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), the investigation shows that the Kia Optima was traveling south on US 31 when a deer suddenly jumped into the vehicle’s path. The impact left the Kia disabled in the roadway.
Authorities say the driver of the Kia exited the vehicle after the collision. Moments later, a southbound semi-truck approaching the same stretch of highway collided directly with the stopped Kia — fatally injuring the Kia’s driver, who was standing outside the car at the time of the crash.
Emergency responders pronounced the driver dead at the scene. As of Thursday afternoon, the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office had not yet released the victim’s name, pending identification and notification of next of kin.
Roadway Shut Down for Hours After Heavy Debris Scattered Across Lanes
The violent crash generated a substantial field of debris across all southbound lanes, forcing law enforcement to shut the highway down for several hours. INDOT officials diverted southbound traffic onto Indiana 28 while crews worked to assess the crash, document evidence, and clear the roadway.
By approximately 11:30 a.m., INDOT confirmed that US 31 southbound had been fully reopened to traffic, restoring normal travel through the corridor.
Investigators Continue to Piece Together Timeline
Authorities are still examining all contributing factors, including visibility, vehicle speeds, animal movement, and roadway conditions at the time of the crash. Although deer-related collisions are common throughout Indiana — especially during fall and early winter — fatal multi-vehicle incidents of this nature remain relatively rare.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, while the coroner’s office continues working to positively identify the victim and notify family members, as per the reports.
Officials have not released any information regarding the semi-truck driver, including whether the driver sustained injuries or required medical attention.
Seasonal Deer Crashes Increasing Across Indiana
Fall marks the peak of deer activity in Indiana due to mating season and increased animal movement across rural and suburban corridors. Wildlife officials say crashes often occur during low-light hours, especially before dawn — the exact conditions present during Thursday morning’s fatal collision.
Motorists are urged to use extra caution on highways like US 31, where high speeds and limited reaction time can intensify the severity of crashes involving animals.
This crash sparks big questions about deer hazards, highway safety, and early-morning visibility.
Share your thoughts in the comments: Should more steps be taken to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions in Indiana?
