MIDLAND, Texas (AP) — Two people are dead and two others are hospitalized after 17-vehicle chain collision on a West Texas interstate blamed on a dust storm.

The crash happened just before 8 p.m. on Interstate 20 just west of Midland, about two miles east of the Midland-Ector county line.

Midland city spokeswoman Persephone Dakopolos says initial reports are that a thunderstorm kicked up dust that blew across the highway. Vehicles slammed into the rear of traffic slowed within the dust cloud.

Five tractor-trailer rigs were among the 17 vehicles involved. Two of the 18-wheelers sandwiched a car, killing two people inside. Battalion Chief Vince Hancock of the Midland Fire Department says two others were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

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