Putnam County, IN (September 14, 2026) – Just before 3 p.m. on September 14, 2026, Jose Efrain Serrano, 46, of Indianapolis, died after being hit by a semi on Interstate 70 in Putnam County, Indiana State Police said. The crash happened near the 40 mile marker, close to the Cloverdale exit.
According to ISP, Serrano pulled over and got out of the box truck he was driving. After getting out, he was hit by a semi, police said.
Serrano died at the scene, according to police.
Police said the semi’s driver is fully cooperating with the investigation. ISP has not released why the box truck pulled over or where Serrano was standing when he was struck.
This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.
Fatal Pedestrian Accidents on I-70 in Putnam County, Indiana
Can the family pursue a claim while the ISP investigation is open?
Yes. A civil wrongful death claim runs separately from any traffic or criminal review. Families do not need to wait for ISP to close its file, and waiting can cost evidence.
Who may be responsible when a semi strikes a person on the shoulder?
Attorneys and investigators look at:
- The semi driver, including speed, lane position, distraction, and whether he moved over for a stopped vehicle
- The semi’s motor carrier, including the driver’s hours of service, training, and prior safety record under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules
- The condition of the box truck, if a mechanical failure forced the stop
- Sight lines, shoulder width, and any construction or signage near the 40 mile marker
The semi’s engine control module and any forward-facing camera will show its speed and lane in the seconds before impact. Carriers are only required to keep some of these records for a limited time.
What if the semi driver says Serrano stepped into the lane?
Indiana follows a modified comparative fault rule (IC 34-51-2-6). A family may still recover as long as their loved one was less than 51 percent at fault. Standing near a stopped truck on the shoulder does not, by itself, make a pedestrian responsible for being hit.
What can a wrongful death claim cover?
For an adult with a spouse or dependents, Indiana’s general wrongful death statute (IC 34-23-1-1) covers funeral and burial costs, lost earnings and financial support, and the loss of the loved one’s care and companionship. If Serrano was working at the time, his family may also have a workers’ compensation death benefit claim through his employer, which does not bar a claim against the semi driver and carrier.
When is the deadline?
Wrongful death claims in Indiana must generally be filed within two years of the date of death (IC 34-23-1-1). For this crash, that date is September 14, 2028.
Contact Our Indiana Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Losing a husband, father, or brother on the side of I-70, in the middle of an ordinary workday, is a grief that arrives with no warning and no explanation. Nobody should have to piece together how it happened while planning a funeral.
Our Indiana pedestrian accident lawyers have represented families across the state since 1980, including in cases where a commercial truck struck someone outside a vehicle. Founding attorney Steven L. Langer is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and has spent more than four decades holding carriers accountable in Indiana courts.
The semi’s black box data and the carrier’s driver logs are the record of what happened in those last seconds, and they should be preserved before the truck goes back on the road.
Speaking with an Indiana wrongful death attorney costs your family nothing, and we are paid only if we recover for you.
Why Indiana families trust Langer & Langer:
- Founded 1980, over 45 years serving Indiana families
- 100+ years of combined legal experience
- Recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, American College of Trial Lawyers
- No fee unless we win
Talk With Us When Your Family Is Ready: 219-245-5881
When the time is right, a personal injury lawyer in Indiana from our firm will sit down with you, in our office or at your home, and explain what the investigation should be looking for.
