TRAFFIC ALERT: Fatal I-40 accident near West Memphis delays traffic for hours

The West Memphis Fire Department responds to a fatal crash along Interstate 40 near West Memphis Wednesday afternoon. Two people were killed in the crash, officials say.
The West Memphis Fire Department responds to a fatal crash along Interstate 40 near West Memphis Wednesday afternoon. Two people were killed in the crash, officials say.

An accident involving multiple vehicles along eastbound Interstate 40 near West Memphis killed at least two people and blocked traffic for several hours Wednesday, according to state officials.

Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler said two people died in the seven-vehicle accident, which occurred shortly before noon in a construction zone near mile marker 275.

Four of the vehicles involved were tractor-trailers, Sadler said, and an unknown number of vehicles caught on fire in the pileup.

Troopers were still on the scene investigating the crash as of 2:30 p.m.

Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department spokesman Danny Straessle said traffic was being diverted onto U.S. 70, and the diversion was expected to continue until about 5 p.m.

Shortly after 5 p.m, the Arkansas Online live traffic map showed eastbound traffic at a standstill from the scene of the accident to mile marker 260.

Read Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more details.

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