Dust storm causes multi-vehicle pile-up on I-70 in Kansas

On March 14, a pile-up involving several dozen vehicles occurred on I-70, an interstate highway in the US state of Kansas. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported fatalities and injuries. The crash was caused by reduced visibility from a dust storm, which was triggered by high winds lifting exposed soil into the air. According to AP News, visibility was "nearly zero."

The pile-up included vehicles as large as semi-trucks. Trooper Tod Hileman stated, "I've seen it before, but this is probably the worst I've ever seen."

A 130-mile stretch of I-70 was closed by authorities in New Mexico as crews worked to clear debris. The closure extended from the Arizona border to the outskirts of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Emergency and recovery teams from surrounding areas assisted in the cleanup. "We certainly couldn't handle it all by ourselves. Not one fire department can handle it, not just one EMS," Trooper Hileman said.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly released a statement saying, "[m]y thoughts are with those affected by this tragic event." She added, "Thank you to the first responders and emergency personnel who responded quickly and continue work to investigate and clear this crash."