HAMILTON COUNTY — A fatal crash on U.S. 31 in northern Hamilton County closed the southbound lanes and one northbound lane Thursday morning.
The incident was reported around 4:45 a.m. on U.S. 31 between 246th and 256th streets near the Hamilton and Tipton county line.
According to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, a Kia Optima struck a deer in the roadway, veered down an embankment, and later re-entered the roadway, stopping in the outside lane.
Officials stated that after an unknown duration, the Kia's driver, believed to be outside the vehicle, was struck by a Volvo semi-truck traveling southbound.
The driver of the Kia is deceased, while the semi-truck driver was uninjured and is cooperating with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Crash Team.
The Hamilton County Coroner's Office is working to identify the deceased driver.
U.S. 31 southbound is closed, with traffic diverted to SR-28. Motorists should take eastbound SR-28 to southbound SR-19 in Tipton, then west on 236th Street to re-access southbound U.S. 31.
Northbound lanes are also impacted, with one lane closed during investigation and cleanup efforts. At 7 a.m., crews indicated the northbound lane could reopen within the hour, but there is no timeline for the southbound lanes.
This incident remains under active investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.