FRIENDSHIP, Ark. State police reported that three people died after at least 12 vehicles collided on Interstate 30 in different locations during thunderstorms in southwest Arkansas.
According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, the crashes occurred Wednesday afternoon in the eastbound lanes of Interstate near Friendship, Arkansas. This is approximately 50 miles southwest of Little Rock.
According to Bill Sadler, Arkansas State Police spokesperson, the wrecks were caused by weather.
All lanes of Interstate 30, which connects Little Rock with Dallas, were shut down by the crashes.
Multiple fatalities were reported by Arkansas State Police Wednesday afternoon. Troopers were trying to identify all motorists. Sadler stated Wednesday night that not all motorists were being accounted for.
Sadler stated that troopers were going through all vehicles to find any evidence of dead bodies still trapped in the wreckage.
Police reported that a fire had been set at one of the crash site sites. Video from the scene showed several large trucks burning.
Traffic was so bad that workers from the state distributed water and snacks to motorists around 7:30 Wednesday.
