Topeka, KS : A fiery wreck on Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Two lanes of eastbound Interstate 435 that were closed overnight because of a fiery wreck in a construction zone reopened shortly before Tuesday morning’s rush hour.

Traffic was being diverted to the north side of the construction barrier. The lanes south of the barrier remained closed while crews continued to clean up debris. The ramp to Antioch Road also remained closed.

The two lanes reopened about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. The ramp from southbound U.S. 69 to eastbound I-435 also is reopened.

Five vehicles were involved in a rush-hour wreck Monday that started with a rear-end crash in a “treacherous” construction zone on eastbound Interstate 435 near U.S. 69 in Overland Park. Four vehicles erupted into flames and engulfed the highway in smoke that could be seen for miles.

Two people were taken to hospitals, one with critical burns. The other was in good condition, said Jason Rhodes, a spokesman for the Overland Park Fire Department.

The crash was at 5:19 p.m. The cause of the wreck — even the order of the vehicles that were struck — was under investigation, but police said it was a rear-end accident. It was not clear which vehicle was in the rear of the crash. The vehicles included a tractor trailer and at least two passenger cars. One car was turned around and ended up facing west.

“It’s a pretty treacherous part of the interstate right now because of all the construction,” Rhodes said. “We’ve got a lot of Jersey barriers and a lot of lanes kind of segregated, if you will. Narrow spaces.”

Source :
Eastbound I-435 reopens after fire erupts during rear-end crash in construction zone