Winter's wrath
Snow whiteout causes I-40 accident, closure

A crippled truck sits near the 44 mile marker along i-40 after a quick passing snow storm created slick roads and dumped serveral inches of snow. [Photo by Daniel Zollinger/Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

Wind wipped snow off piled and drifted snow wednesday afternoon near a stop sign at exit 47 along Interstate 40. Interstate 40 was closed for several hours while official attended to weather related accidents and cleared snow from a quick passing storm. [Photo by Daniel Zollinger/Independent]

GALLUP — Several vehicles were involved in a weather-related crash that resulted in the closure of Interstate Highway 40 near the Coolidge exit.

Lt. Rick Anglada, a spokesman for the New Mexico State Police, said several vehicles and a pair of tractor trailers were involved in the accident between mile markers 40 and 45. A vehicle reportedly collided with a truck.

The crash was reported at about 1 p.m. as snow blanketed the interstate and reduced visibility for motorists.

Up to 15 vehicles were involved in the wreck; however, an exact number was not immediately released. No serious injuries were reported.

Authorities did shut down the eastbound lane of the interstate at the location to clear wreckage from the roadway. Roads were reopened late Wednesday afternoon.

New Mexico Highway 118 was also temporarily shut down just east of Gallup.

Anglada had no further details as of Wednesday evening.