Multiple crashes in snow, ice shut down I-44; one dead

The winter weather that caused drivers trouble in Kansas City wreaked more havoc downstate as dozens of vehicles crashed and shut down Interstate 44 east of Rolla, Mo.

A 63-year-old woman died and an unknown number of people were injured as more than 100 vehicles, including numerous semi-tractor trailers, were snarled in several crashes on the snowy and icy interstate.

The series of wrecks began about 2 p.m., with the worst involving 30 vehicles near Rolla, the Missouri Highway Patrol reported. At least three other separate crashes involved around a dozen vehicles each.

The interstate was shut down in both directions for several hours. The patrol reported that one lane was opened for westbound traffic soon after 7 p.m., and a single lane for eastbound traffic was expected to be opened after 8 p.m.

“It’s just icy roadways and people driving too fast,” said Missouri Highway Patrol Lt. Bruce Fiske.

This story was originally published February 4, 2018 at 8:31 PM with the headline "Multiple crashes in snow, ice shut down I-44; one dead."