Two people die, I-70 shuts down for multiple crashes Monday

Both lanes of I-70 eastbound shutdown Monday morning after a semi truck caught fire west of Columbia. The accident happened just west of the Midway exit, near mile marker 120, around 10:30 a.m.

The backed-up traffic also lead to another deadly crash later that same afternoon. It occurred further west near mile marker 111, right near the Overton exit by the Missouri River. Emergency workers told ABC 17 News a car hit the back of another semi, trapping a woman inside.

The original accident closed eastbound I-70 for most of the day. As of 6:30 p.m. Monday, both lanes remained closed, eight hours later. The Missouri Highway Patrol has also released further details from the crash after notifying family members.

Troopers say a total of three semi-trucks and a Toyota RAV4 were involved. The first semi-truck slowed down for traffic, crashed into another truck, which then hit the RAV4. The RAV4 overturned in the median, and two people inside, including a driver and passenger, went to University Hospital in Columbia with moderate injuries.

The driver of the first semi did not have a seatbelt on and was thrown from his truck during the initial crash, which also engulfed the truck in flames. Troopers say Sean Gibson, 41, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Stay with ABC17News.com for further details.