LUBBOCK (AP) – A state trooper says one person was killed and least 17 injured in a series of accidents that occurred when a violent West Texas dust storm forced authorities to close a portion of Interstate 27 north of Lubbock.

Cpl. John Gonzalez of the Texas Department of Public Safety says 23 vehicles were involved in a series of chain-reaction crashes Wednesday afternoon south of Abernathy. He described conditions as “like a white-out, only this would be black,” as sand and dirt were kicked up by the wind.

Gonzalez says a man died at the scene after his sport utility vehicle slammed into the back of a tractor-trailer. He says injuries suffered in the crashes appeared minor.

Gonzalez says the highway remains closed in both directions because of concern over more accidents.

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