Icy Morning Collision Shuts U.S. 231, Disrupts County Traffic
An early morning pileup on U.S. 231 between Huntingburg and Jasper involved 13 vehicles and closed the highway for about 2.5 hours, after a southbound car lost control on ice and crossed into oncoming traffic. The crash highlights winter driving hazards and strained local traffic routes as county roads filled with slide offs and backups while emergency crews and tow operators worked to clear the scene.
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A chain reaction crash on U.S. 231 Monday morning left one person injured and temporarily cut a primary north south route through Dubois County. Responders were dispatched at about 5:46 a.m. after a southbound vehicle lost control on ice, crossed into the northbound lane and collided with another vehicle. Additional vehicles became involved when drivers were unable to stop, bringing the total to 13 vehicles involved and forcing a closure of the highway between Huntingburg and Jasper for about 2.5 hours.
Emergency services from the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department arrived with 12 firefighters and one truck. Jasper firefighters coordinated lighting and other on scene support with the Huntingburg Volunteer Fire Department as crews attended to the collision and facilitated traffic management. One person sustained injuries in the pileup and was transported to a local hospital. Photos from the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department document the scene and the scale of vehicle damage.
The collision pushed traffic off the highway and onto county roads, many of which experienced slide offs and backups as drivers sought alternate routes. Tow trucks were dispatched across the county to remove disabled vehicles and reopen roadways. Officials reported that extrication training conducted the night before was not required for this incident, indicating that responders did not need to perform vehicle extrications to free trapped occupants.
For local residents the immediate impacts included delayed commutes, interruptions to morning deliveries and increased risk on secondary roads that are less equipped for heavy traffic or hazardous conditions. The incident underscores how a single loss of control on ice can ripple through a regional transportation network, straining volunteer fire departments, towing services and county road crews.
Policy and operational considerations emerging from the crash include winter road treatment timing, real time travel information for motorists, and coordination among county and local responders during weather related incidents. The response demonstrates the capacity of volunteer departments to mobilize personnel and equipment quickly, while also pointing to the vulnerability of alternate routes when a major highway is closed.
Drivers should remain aware of road conditions during freezing weather, and local officials may review winter maintenance and communication practices to reduce similar disruptions. The Jasper Volunteer Fire Department provided photos documenting the incident to aid public awareness and reporting on the closure and its aftermath.
