I-40 west closed after 9-vehicle accident

Injuries reported 45 miles east of LR

The Associated Press

Interstate 40 has been closed to westbound traffic in east Arkansas after a crash involving as many as nine vehicles.

The accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday when rain came through the area.

Capt. Nathaniel Jackson with Troop D of the Highway Patrol said crews were working to get one lane of the interstate open by 6 p.m.

State police spokesman Bill Sadler said there had been no fatalities, but eight people were taken to the hospital. Sadler said he was unsure how serious the injuries were.

“A driver of a vehicle attempted to pull off the highway, and in doing so ... precipitated a chain-reaction collision that now involves as many as nine vehicles, two of which are on fire,” Sadler said. “The ones that are on fire are tractor-trailer rigs.”

Jackson confirmed that there were injuries but did not have specifics.

The crash occurred about 45 miles east of Little Rock, near milepost 203, Sadler said.