Authorities say at least one person is dead and several others injured after a series of crashes involving about 40 vehicles on a snow- and ice-covered interstate highway in northeastern New Mexico.
New Mexico State Police officials say there were multiple crashes around 11 a.m. Saturday on westbound Interstate 40 between Santa Rosa and Tucumcari in a concentrated area but not one large pile-up.
A section of the freeway was closed for about 12 hours and traffic on a 38-mile stretch of the highway was diverted onto the frontage road.
State Police say there were 29 non-injury crashes, six injury crashes and one fatal crash.
They say the exact number of injured still wasn't clear as of Sunday.
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The Latest on wrecks on Interstate 40 in northeastern New Mexico:
Authorities say a multi-vehicle wreck on a snow- and ice-covered interstate highway in northeastern New Mexico actually involved multiple crashes in one area, not one big pileup.
The State Police said an initial report indicated a wreck late Saturday morning on westbound Interstate 40 between Santa Rosa and Tucumcari involved approximately 40 vehicles, but the agency said later the total number of crashes and vehicles is still being determined.
A State Police spokesman said there are no immediate reports of injuries.
A 38-mile stretch of westbound I-40 is closed, with traffic being detoured around the area.
12:30 p.m.
Authorities say there's been a multi-vehicle crash involving approximately 40 vehicles on a snow- and ice-covered interstate highway in northeastern New Mexico.
The New Mexico State Police say the wreck occurred midday Saturday on westbound Interstate 40 between Santa Rosa and Tucumcari and that traffic on a 38-mile stretch of the highway is being diverted onto the frontage road.
There is no immediate word of injuries, and the State Police said officers are investigating what happened.
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