A 71-vehicle pileup on I-70 in Sherman County, Kansas, resulted in eight fatalities and numerous injuries on March 14.

The details: The crash occurred between mile markers 28.1 and 28.3, impacting both eastbound and westbound lanes. Troopers arrived at around 3:22 p.m., finding a chaotic scene with vehicles scattered across the interstate.

• The Kansas Highway Patrol identified eight victims, including Larry Smith, 72, and Stephanie Purcell, 61.
• Beyond the fatal casualties, 46 others were transported to local hospitals with injuries.

Investigation: The sequence of collisions is still being pieced together by authorities. Kansas Highway Patrol mentioned that the collisions happened between approximately 3:20 p.m. and 3:35 p.m.

Community impact: Goodland Fire Chief Brian James described the experience as the most challenging in his 22-year career, managing multiple agencies and over thirty patients amidst poor visibility conditions.

First responders, like Chief James, highlighted the dedication and teamwork required to handle such a massive incident, as reported by the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The wreckage and investigation efforts caused significant delays and disruptions in the area. Although the road was eventually cleared, the precise cause of the initial crash is yet to be determined.