At 6:50 a.m., Sgt. Rod Russell, public information officer for the Indiana State Police Redkey Post, said that Interstate 69 was closed for an “undetermined time” to southbound traffic at mile 35 due to multiple crashes. He suggested motorists reduce speed, prepare for sudden stops, keep a safe following distance, switch off electronic devices and move over or slow down for approaching emergency vehicles.

Wintry conditions overnight left roadways slick with ice.

“The road is still slick and crashes are continuing to occur from the 47-mile marker to the 33-mile marker,” Russell said.

One local motorist reported a backup of five miles near Exit 34 (Chesterfield) while one Madison County commuter reported a three-hour drive to Fort Wayne with 90 minutes spent sitting in traffic