A series of crashes involving 16 semi trucks and 19 passenger vehicles sent numerous people to the hospital.

It happened on Thursday afternoon around 4 p.m. on Interstate 81 in Montgomery County, Virginia. According to police, 15 separate chain-reaction crashes occurred between mile marker 107 and 109 in the northbound lanes and between mile marker 114 and 116 in the southbound lanes.

In total, 35 vehicles were involved.

Virginia State Police
Virginia State Police
Virginia State Police
Virginia State Police

Motorists were urged to avoid the area.

The cause of the crashes is under investigation, but police believe heavy rain may have been a factor. No fatalities were reported, but many were injured. The extent of these injuries was not confirmed.

Traffic was backed up for about 10 miles while emergency crews responded to the collisions.

Virginia State Police
Virginia State Police

WSET reported that northbound I-81 was closed from 3:45 pm to 7:30 pm while Hazmat worked to clear the area.

At around 7:30, one lane was reopened. By 9:30 p.m., the wreckage was cleared and all lanes were reopened.