Update 10 pm:
Both lanes of I-77 northbound have been reopened.
Original:
BECKLEY, W.Va. — A portion of the West Virginia Turnpike remained closed Thursday night following a multiple vehicle pileup believed to be caused by a snow squall.
Raleigh County authorities confirmed that around 17 vehicles were involved in the wreck that happened at around 4 in the afternoon. It started at mile marker 48 near the I-77/Route 19 interchange.
A look at I-77 through Beckley. A 17 car pileup has both northbound lanes blocked starting at mm 48. Traffic backed up several miles. @WVMetroNews @WJLSNEWS pic.twitter.com/bJLcVo72Ee
— Mike McCullough (@MikeMcC_Metro) March 9, 2018
WVDOT announced at around 6 pm that a detour route had been established.
Traffic Advisory The WVTP has established Detours for the accident on I-77 NB . I-77 NB traffic use Exit 48 to US-19 to I-79 South to Charleston. pic.twitter.com/XqLPuGLKp6
— WV Interstate 77 (@WVinterstate77) March 8, 2018
The number of injuries was still unclear Thursday night.
Authorities were also uncertain how long it would take to clear the scene.