TEMPLE, Texas — UPDATE: (12:07 p.m.) The Temple Police Department has cleared the scene and reopened the roadway to regular traffic.
UPDATE: (8:00 a.m.) The Temple Police Department is investigating two traffic accidents that left two people dead. Interstate 35 northbound near Temple is expected to be closed for several hours, with traffic and congestion stretching down to Belton.
Around 3:36 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, officers with the Temple Police Department with sent to mile marker 298 northbound on Interstate 35. There, officers found a vehicle that had been struck by another vehicle.
The initial investigation into the crash suggests that the vehicle traveling northbound, for unknown reasons, left the roadway before striking a concrete barrier and becoming disabled in the middle of the highway. A second vehicle traveling northbound then struck the disabled vehicle.
One unnamed individual was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Larry Wilkey. One other person was transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.
Temple PD officers were later sent to the area of exit 297 around 4:52 a.m. this morning. There, officers located two tractor trailers that had collided after one struck the back of the other.
The preliminary investigation performed by the department shows that this accident occurred due to the standstill traffic on the highway caused by the previous accident.
One unnamed individual was pronounced dead on the scene by Justice of the Peace Larry Wilkey. No other injuries have been reported.
UPDATE: (7:00 a.m.) A 6news reporter on scene confirmed that one of the crashes involved two semi-trucks. No injuries or information about the severity of the accident has been provided.
The service roads headed northbound are also now reportedly backed up for miles, stretching from Midway drive to near FM-93.
Previous story continues below:
All northbound lanes of Interstate 35 near exit 297 are closed Thursday morning following two traffic accidents, according to the Temple Police Department.
The department is on scene assisting with the crashes and emergency response procedures. Drivers and commuters are advised to exit at 6th Avenue and use the service road or take an alternate route if traveling through the area. Authorities advise planning for extra travel time if utilizing these detours.
Police first reported an accident on Interstate 35 near exit 297 northbound earlier this morning at 3:56 a.m. A second crash in the area, near Midway Drive and I35, was reported at 5:16 a.m.
No information has been released about the severity of the accidents, number of vehicles involved or whether there are any injuries. No estimated time for when the interstate will reopen have been released.
This article will be updated with new information until regular traffic flow resumes.