Nearly 40 vehicles involved in the congestion that injured several people in Iowa

Nearly 40 vehicles, including two Iowa state patrol cars, were involved in a congestion while snow plagued the state Thursday afternoon.

The crash, according to the agency, occurred just before noon on the eastern lanes of Interstate 80 near Newton, about 35 miles east of Des Moines.

Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Alex Dinkla said on Thursday that icy roads and snowstorm-like conditions caused the first wreckage and led to a chain reaction involving more vehicles.

“It tells us that vehicles are driving too fast for the circumstances and when an incident occurs in front of them, they are driving too fast and they cannot slow down in time,” Dinkla said according to the NBC branch WHO.

On photos and videos, one vehicle could be seen smashed under a trailer. Another group under the same truck appears to be almost dead. The troops in the two patrol cars responded to the scene to assist other motorists as they crashed. No one was injured.

However, there were some serious injuries and other minor injuries to others involved in the accumulation. Officials did not have an exact number early Friday morning and no other details were immediately available.

Dozens of motorists were trapped on the highway behind the crash. I-80 was closed for most of the day, but reopened around 7:15 p.m., after state troops, first responders, local law enforcement and tow operators cleared the scene.

The crash occurred shortly after the state Department of Transportation warned of travel amid a second winter storm in northern and central Iowa.

The National Weather Service issued a similar advice, warning of low visibility, icy roads and snowstorms throughout central eastern Iowa.

Officials on Thursday responded to a total of 165 car accidents, 143 property damage, 285 motorist assistance and 22 personal injuries.