INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana State Police is investigating after a 9-year-old boy was killed in a crash on Interstate 465 on Indianapolis' south side Thursday evening.
The crash was reported around 5:20 p.m. July 25 on I-465, near U.S. 31.
ISP said a preliminary investigation determined the driver of a semi failed to slow down as he approached a traffic backup on I-465. The truck struck three cars and another semi.
The boy who died was a backseat passenger in one of the cars that was struck. The driver of that car was critically injured and another passenger, a 5-year-old girl, was treated for injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
The Marion County Coroner's Office identified the boy as Eamon Charles Goodrich.
State police investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs were a contributing factor to the crash. However, investigators believe excessive speed by the semi driver played a role in the crash, as well as not complying with the allotted hours of service based on the Federal Motor Carrier Regulations.
All eastbound lanes of the interstate were closed near U.S. 31 for about 4 1/2 hours Thursday night. The interstate reopened shortly before 10 p.m.
Cracking down on speeding in Indiana
From July 10-31, the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute is working with several law enforcement agencies across the state to conduct a high-visibility enforcement campaign targeting speeding drivers.
Through this campaign, law enforcement officers will issue citations for those driving above the posted speed limit and raise awareness about the deadly consequences of speeding and aggressive driving.
"Speeding is one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities in Indiana," said James Bryan, traffic safety director for ICJI. "Obeying the posted speed limits will reduce the number of deaths and serious bodily injuries that occur on Indiana roads."