Authorities say a massive pile of 30 vehicles on the Yellowstone River bridge in Billings, Montana, was critically injured.
The individuals jumped off the bridge during the accident to avoid being hit by a car Montana Highway Patrol tweeted. Both have been admitted to hospital but are expected to recover. Minor injuries were also reported, but no deaths.
“I would say this is the biggest accident and winter accident I’ve seen in my nearly 20 years with the fire department,” Jason Lyon, fire chief of Billings, told the Billings Gazette.
Justice Department communications director Kyler Nerison told NBC News the cause of the multiple-vehicle crash was the “white / invisible conditions caused by a sudden snowstorm.”
The incident occurred on western I-90, and the lane was closed until about 4:30 p.m., while troops were investigating, Nerison said.
One driver, Bella Contreraz, told the Billings Gazette that she slammed on her brakes when she saw vehicles stop in front of her. Another oncoming semi-truck hit her shortly afterwards and pinned her to the side of the bridge. A new driver helped her escape by opening her door, she said.
“It was like a buffer,” Contreraz said.
The Billings National Weather Service issued a statement on Saturday about heavy avalanches in the area and warned drivers that the I-90 would be affected and that there would likely be slippery road conditions and visibility.