Fog Leads to Multi-Vehicle Crashes on I-57 Highway in Mississippi County, Missouri; At Least Six People Killed

Fog has reportedly led to "fatal chain-reaction crashes" along Interstate 57 (I-57) highway of the Mississippi County in Missouri, USA, during the morning rush hour on Thursday, March 17.

The multi-vehicular crashes involved dozens of vehicles and resulted in multiple casualties, including fatalities.

The crashes resulted in vehicle fires and smoke following the fatal chain-reaction collision.

In addition, the I-57 was temporarily closed to road traffic movement following the incident.

An investigation is underway on whether or not a thick fog triggered the incident on Thursday morning.

However, the initial investigation indicated that there was a thick fog in the area prior to the pile-up, which local authorities considered as an accident.

Although the occurrence of fog in the early morning hours is common, the incident of this magnitude in Missouri is significantly catastrophic.

Multi-Vehicle Crashes

According to CBS News, the multi-car crash on I-57 has involved approximately 70 vehicles, including 20 tractor trucks and trailer trucks.

The pile-up of vehicles has killed at least six people and injured several others.

Initial assessments indicated at least 50 vehicles were involved in the multi-vehicle crashes where 30 passenger vehicles were also involved.

The Mississippi County Sheriff's Office issued a warning to people to avoid the area, according to Fox 2 News.

Furthermore, the Missouri State Highway Patrol stated multiple tractor-trailer trucks crashed along the northbound and southbound lanes.

The occurrence of fire and smoke from vehicles was also seen on the I-57 crash site, as per Fox 2 News.

Morning Fog is to Blame?

AccuWeather meteorologists cited a statement from local authorities, saying there was a thick fog prior to the so-called fatal chain-reaction crashes on the highway before 8:00 a.m. on Thursday.

The crash site is located near the city of Charleston in Mississippi County located in southeastern Missouri.

The multi-vehicular crash incident is being considered by local authorities as an accident.

As a result, the investigation is determining if the fog contributed to the crashes, as per CBS News.

I-57 Closure

As cited by CNN, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) announced the closure of I-57 in both of its northbound and southbound directions following the multiple vehicular collision on Thursday morning.

Conflicting reports suggested that road traffic movement has gradually resumed along the highway, but the MoDOT has issued no estimation as to when the I-57 will reopen, as per CNN.

Local authorities asked motorists to avoid the I-57 and find an alternative route as investigation and recovery is underway.

Although road accidents do occur on I-57, multiple collisions of this severity rarely occur in one of the United States' major routes.

The highway is frequented by both private vehicles and commercial trucks alike when traveling between Missouri and Illinois.

Following the highway closure, nearby routes, including roads and highways, are expected to be under heavy traffic due to the diversion of travel away from I-57.