A series of crashes involving approximately 30 vehicles shut down the eastbound lanes of the Indiana Toll Road for several hours, Wednesday afternoon, near mile marker 94, roughly two miles east of Elkhart.

Indiana State Police say the first crash was reported around 3:50 p.m. and involved three vehicles in the eastbound lanes. Moments later, additional crashes occurred in the same area, blocking all eastbound lanes as both semi-trailers and passenger vehicles collided, slid into the median, or left the roadway. At least one vehicle crossed into westbound lanes before coming to rest in a ditch on the north side of the interstate.

Several people were injured and transported to a local hospital. None of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening. One semi driver was trapped in the wreckage for several hours before being freed and taken to the hospital.

Troopers attributed the chain of crashes to heavy snowfall and severely reduced visibility at the time of the incident. Eastbound traffic was backed up for miles as emergency crews worked to clear the scene.