IMPD: 1 dies after car crashes into tanker truck; driver arrested

INDIANAPOLIS — A driver was arrested after crashing into a tanker truck on Indianapolis' west side early Sunday morning, resulting in the death of one person, police said.

Shortly before 2:30 a.m. on June 4, IMPD officers responded to the intersection of Michigan Street and Holt Road for a crash between a sedan and a tanker truck.

Based on preliminary information, officers believe the sedan was traveling north on Holt Road when it hit the back of the empty tanker truck, which was stopped at the light.

According to court documents, the sedan was going 40 mph at the time of the crash. Detectives said the brakes were not activated before the crash, and there were no tire marks at the scene to indicate the driver tried to stop prior to the crash.

Two passengers in the sedan were taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The driver, identified by IMPD as Octave Rutayisire, had minor injuries.

The driver of the tanker truck was not injured.

On Wednesday, June 7, one of the sedan passengers, identified by the Marion County Coroner's Office as 38-year-old Bernard Gakwisi, died from his injuries.

Court documents say the other passenger suffered several spinal fractures, rib fractures, a collapsed lung and a sternum fracture.

Rutayisire was arrested for his role in the crash, and detectives believe alcohol played a role in the incident, IMPD said.

According to court documents, Rutayisire's blood alcohol concentration level was more than double the legal limit at 0.166.

The following charges against Rutayisire were filed Thursday, June 8:

Rutayisire's initial court hearing is scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m.