New Albany father remains in ICU days after crash that killed 9-year-old son in Indianapolis

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A New Albany father is awake and recovering in the ICU just days after a deadly crash in Indianapolis.

Police said Chris Goodrich was driving on Interstate 465 near U.S. 31 on Indianapolis' south side Thursday, July 25 during the afternoon rush hour when a semi crashed into several cars including his.

The crash happened in a construction zone, and Indiana State Police said the semi driver didn't slow down for traffic that was backed up, according to FOX59.

Nine-year-old Eamon Goodrich, of New Albany, was killed in the crash. Both Chris and his five-year-old daughter Brynn were taken to an Indianapolis hospital. Brynn is expected to be okay.

State police said drugs and alcohol were not a factor, but the semi driver had allegedly gone over his allotted hours of driving.

Attorney Mario Massillamany isn't connected to the case, but said being over on your hours isn't necessarily enough to charge the driver with reckless homicide, but could be taken into consideration if there are charges later down the line.

“You don’t want someone driving a semi that is tired or sleepy and isn’t able to react to traffic," Massillamany told FOX59. "These federal regulations are put in place to protect them and other citizens on the road."

The family's church, First Christian Church, in Jeffersonville is asking for prayers and donations for the family. The church is encouraging people to donate to this fund which has already raised more than $10,000.

"Anytime you have to leave your home and be away from it for a while, it's a significant financial burden," said senior minister Jeremy Skaggs. "So we've, we've tried to help in that way. But also, you know, the church is responsible for their spiritual welfare as well."

Skaggs has visited with the family, who remains at the hospital in Indianapolis, and says there's a long road of recovery ahead.

"It hurts deeply," Skaggs said. "Anytime there's loss of innocent life, it hurts. They are really just good, kind, generous, loving people, and everyone who knows them hurts because they care about them so much."