Stormy weather considered factor in deadly crash along Arkansas interstate
Video from the aftermath showed multiple semi trucks engulfed in flames amid the wreckage.
Fiery crash leaves at least 3 dead in Friendship, Arkansas on June 8, 2022.
(Joni Deardoff via Storyful)
FRIENDSHIP, Ark. -- At least three people were killed an 11 were hurt in a fiery chain-reaction crash along a rain-slickened interstate in Arkansas Wednesday.
Two cars originally collided around 12:30 p.m. in the westbound lanes of Interstate 30 near Caddo Valley, Arkansas State Police spokesperson Bill Sadler told FOX Weather.
At least two more collisions happened after the initial crash, involving more than a dozen vehicles total, including semi trucks.
Video from the aftermath showed multiple semi trucks engulfed in flames amid the wreckage.
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Troopers have confirmed three deaths and said 11 others were sent to area hospitals, but the extent of their injuries was not given. A crash report from Arkansas State Police shows one of the deaths occurred when a driver swerved off the road to avoid the initial crash and struck a tree.
Troopers respond to a deadly crash in Friendship, Arkansas
(Arkansas Dept. of Transportation)
The crash left westbound lanes shut down overnight and well into Thursday afternoon, creating a miles-long backup, according to the Arkansas Department of Transportation. Once the wreckage was cleared, Arkansas DOT crews spent much of Thursday morning repaving the damaged highway.
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Westbound lanes were finally reopened mid-Thursday afternoon.
The crash report noted road conditions were wet at the time of the crash, and Doppler Radar showed heavy showers and thunderstorms were moving through the region early Wednesday afternoon.
Radar image showing heavy showers and thunderstorms in the area of a deadly crash near Friendship, Arkansas on June 8, 2022.
(FOX Weather)
"Weather conditions (rain) will be listed as one of the contributing factors in at least two of the crash scenes," Sadler said.