A multi-vehicle crash along Interstate 70 in a dust storm Tuesday afternoon killed one person, injured four others, and prompted the road to be closed for several hours.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a Volvo semi was headed east in the right lane when the driver entered a blowing dust storm. This storm caused little to zero visibility across the roadway.

Due to the low visibility, the driver slowed his speed down. A Toyota Highlander SUV crashed with the rear of semi. The semi continued to a nearby truck stop.  The Toyota topped in the right lane of travel.

A Freightliner semi was behind the Toyota. The Freightliner’s on-board forward crash detection sensor stopped it  prior to impacting another vehicle in front of it which was involved in a separate collision and disabled in the roadway. A Ford Explorer struck the rear of the Freighliner. The Explorer was redirected to the left (North) and stopped in the median facing South.

An Acura MDX SUV struck the rear of the Freightliner and under-rode the trailer. A Subaru Ascent struck the Acura.

The driver of the Ford Explorer, 75-year-old Gary Stoll from Oakley, was killed. Four other people were hurt in the crash, one with suspected serious injures and three with suspected minor injuries.

The crash happened at 1:15 Tuesday afternoon east of Colby on Interstate 70 in Thomas County.

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UPDATE: Interstate 70 is back open.

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A multi-vehicle crash has prompted officials to close a long stretch of Interstate 70 to both directions  in Western Kansas.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, I 70 stretching from Wakeeney to Colby, is closed in both directions. Blowing dust and vehicle crashes are blocking the roadway.

Non-essential travel in that area is discouraged.

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TOP PHOTO VIA KAKE NEWS