All lanes on Interstate 40 are now open following a multi-vehicle accident Monday that involved several 18-wheeler trucks and left one dead in Monroe County.According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), the crash involved three 18-wheelers near Brinkley just after 5:30 Monday evening.
In a statement released by ARDOT, they say that a military truck was heading eastbound when it was forced to stop due to low visibility from a grass fire. While the military truck was stopped, two other 18-wheelers collided with the vehicle leading to one of the drivers being killed, officials said.
A spokesperson with ARDOT said that the crash involved materials that are “military in nature.” Department of Defense officials from Louisiana were called to remove the equipment because they could possibly be explosive. Traffic officials said that there were two stacks of rockets on the scene, but one has been removed.
The accident caused traffic on I-40 to be backed up for 20 miles which remained backed up as of 10:00 Tuesday morning. Traffic is currently being diverted eastbound off the interstate by Exit 202, and westbound by Exit 216.
To check current traffic conditions, visit www.idrivearkansas.com
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