(ALLEN COUNTY) - Two people were killed and southbound Interstate 69 was shut down for more than eight hours Wednesday after a chain-reaction crash involving three semi-trucks and three passenger vehicles.
The crash happened shortly before 2 p.m. in a construction zone between the Lafayette Center Road and U.S. 224 exits near the General Motors assembly plant in southern Allen County.
Investigators say traffic was stopped when a semi-truck struck two passenger vehicles from behind. One vehicle was forced into a ditch while the other was pushed into another semi-truck.
The impact triggered a chain reaction involving six vehicles.
The drivers of the first two passenger vehicles struck were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the semi-truck was taken to a hospital and was reported in stable condition.
The crash closed southbound I-69 through much of the afternoon and evening as investigators reconstructed the scene and crews worked to clear the wreckage. The interstate reopened around 10:30 p.m.
The Allen County Sheriff's Department continues to investigate.