Early Saturday morning, snowy roads contributed to a multi-vehicle pileup that killed at least three and involved more than 50 cars in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.

"Bands of snow, accompanied by wind gusts from 20-30 mph, were buffeting parts of the Keystone State Saturday morning," said weather.com meteorologist Jon Erdman. "This is yet another case illustrating that you don't need heavy snow accumulations to trigger multi-vehicle wrecks. This has been a problem for years in the Midwest and Northeast."

(MORE: Is Light Snow More Dangerous For Drivers Than Major Snow Storms? )

According to the Associated Press, Lebanon County police said the crash occurred around 9:45 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 78 on Bethel Township. The roadway has been shut down in both directions and vehicles are being detoured around the scene.

At least 3 people were killed in the pile-up and several rescue and ambulance units were dispatched to the site, reports PennLive. Four medical helicopters were also sent, and more than 15 people were reportedly trapped in the pileup.

The names of the deceased were released Sunday. Kenneth J. Lesko, 50, of Bethpage, New York, Francisca V. Pear, 54, of Bridgewater, New Jersey, and Alfred Dean Kinnick, 57, of Limestone, Tennessee, were all pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to state police in Lebanon County.

Tractor-trailers, box trucks and cars were tangled together across three lanes of traffic and crossed over into the snow-covered median, AP also reports.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency activated an emergency operation center and a shelter.

More than 70 people have been sheltered at the Jonestown Fire Department and more than 40 people have been transported to hospitals, according to Agency spokesman Cory Angell.

Angell also said drifting snow was reported in the area and officials are investigating whether that contributed to the crash. He urges drivers to use caution due to the drifting snow and extreme cold.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for more updates.