MIDLAND (July 24, 2012)--Two people died and two others were hospitalized Tuesday after a 17-vehicle chain collision on a West Texas interstate during a dust storm.
The crash happened just before 8 p.m. Monday on Interstate 20 just west of Midland, about two miles east of the Midland-Ector county line.
Midland city spokeswoman Persephone Dakopolos said initial reports are that a thunderstorm kicked up dust that blew across the highway.
Vehicles slammed into the rear of other vehicles whose drivers slowed down within the dust cloud.
Five tractor-trailer rigs were among the 17 vehicles involved.
Two of the 18-wheelers sandwiched a car, killing two people inside.
Battalion Chief Vince Hancock of the Midland Fire Department said two others were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
