BONNER SPRINGS, Kan. -- Emergency crews are at the scene of a substantial semi-truck fire and crash Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 70 near 174th Street. FOX 4's Shannon O'Brien reports that at least four people died in the crash, and the driver of a semi was hospitalized. There were six vehicles involved, including two tractor-trailers.
Death toll rises in I-70 crash. More than 4 confirmed dead, exact number TBD. 6th car found crushed between burned out wreckage of semis. pic.twitter.com/IQc7lSrBlJ
— Shannon O'Brien (@ShannonOBTV) July 11, 2017
One semi driver reportedly hit a vehicle that caused a chain reaction in the westbound lanes, and set off the fire. Those lanes are still closed, but the eastbound lanes have reopened:
KTA ALERT I70 218 WB; CRASH UPDATE; EB LANES ARE NOW OPEN; THANK YOU.
— Kansas Turnpike (@KansasTurnpike) July 11, 2017
Westbound drivers are to exit K7 to Highway 24 or 32 to Lawrence. Authorities had said that the lanes may be closed overnight, and now estimate that they could reopen in four to five hours.
FOX 4 is continuing to follow developments with this story, and will post the latest updates as we confirm more information.
