From staff reports
At least one person was killed Tuesday afternoon in a fiery, multi-vehicle wreck on Interstate 64.
On Tuesday night, all lanes of eastbound traffic were shut down on I-64 near mile marker 39, just before the Teays Valley exit. One lane of westbound traffic was reopened, according to West Virginia Highways officials.
Following the work of a reconstruction team from Ripley that worked on the scene of the crash, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office issued a press release late Tuesday with preliminary details.
Traveling westbound on I-64 near mile marker 40.5, a tractor-trailer owned by Butler Transportation "crossed the center median and struck another tractor-trailer traveling in the east bound lane, causing a chain reaction of collisions," the release says.
The semi's trailer, carrying Reese's peanut butter cups and other candy, separated from the tractor during the crash, toppled over the side of the highway and landed in the gorge below, next to Rocky Step Road.
Four tractor-trailers and two automobiles were involved in the collision, according to the release.
Shane Hudnall, state Division of Highways safety officer for District 1, gave updates from the scene of the crash Tuesday via Facebook Live.
Hudnall said I-64 eastbound likely would be shut down for several more hours.
One tractor-trailer involved in the crash still was on fire Tuesday evening. The press release confirmed one fatality from the accident. Authorities said they believe the fatality occurred in the burning vehicle.
A total of eight people were taken to hospitals in the tri-state area.
"The cause of the accident is unknown at this time," the release says. The Putnam County Sheriff's Department is investigating.