Troopers were kept busy Saturday responding to dozens of crashes in the Indianapolis area including two which resulted in fatalities.
The first fatal crash happened just before 5 a.m. on I-465 near the 49 mile marker. 18 year old Jamel Roscoe of Indianapolis was driving a white Pontiac, allegedly at a high rate of speed, when he clipped another car then collided with a guardrail on the right side of the highway. Roscoe was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled over. He was transported by ambulance to Methodist Hospital where he later died from his injuries. Investigating Troopers say weather was not a factor in this crash, blood results for intoxication are pending at this time. The other driver, Shane Denney of Nineveh Indiana was not injured in the crash.
Troopers responded to a second fatal crash that occurred on I-70 just west of the I-465 interchange on the west side at 10:00 this morning. According to Master Trooper Shanna Kennedy, two vehicles had slid off the roadway in this area just before a third vehicle, driven by Rafael Ramirez of Missouri, slid off the road and rolled several times. A backseat passenger in the pick-up was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. 78 year old Marshall Gale of Missouri was pronounced deceased at the scene. Ramirez was transported to Eskenazi Hospital to be checked for injuries. Upon his release from the hospital Ramirez was arrested for driving while suspended causing death. Investigators believe road conditions were a factor in this crash as well as speed too fast for weather conditions.
Today in the Indianapolis District, Troopers responded to 43 crashes, four of which resulted in injuries and two fatalities. A majority of the crashes were caused by driving too fast for weather conditions. As we enter into the snowy season drivers are reminded to reduce speed, increase following distance and prepare for rapidly deteriorating road conditions.