Two dead as multiple crashes close I-40 westbound near Ash Fork

A weather-related crash near Ash Fork has closed Interstate 40 westbound according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

BY KTAR NEWSROOM

May 7, 2016, 11:44 AM Updated: 7:26 pm

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Courtesy Arizona Department of Public Safety

ASH FORK, Ariz. (AP) — Two people are dead and six others have been injured in a series of weather-related vehicle collisions in northern Arizona.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety says a stretch of I-40 about 15 miles west of Ash Fork remained closed Saturday afternoon as troopers investigated several accidents. The highway was reopened around 7 p.m.

Authorities say the incidents — at least five separate crashes — began around 9:50 a.m. when a vehicle rolled over due to icy road conditions and hail.

They say two people tried to assist the victims in the initial rollover (pictured above) and were fatally hit by a commercial vehicle.

Their names were not released.

DPS Capt. George Manera says the two incidents and the weather led to three more collisions.

Six people were taken to Flagstaff Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Manera cautioned against speeding when dealing with changing weather conditions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report