00:49 Multi-car Pileup in Iowa Snow Kills a Driver on Interstate 35 A massive chain-reaction crash in heavy snow involved dozens of cars and trucks kills a driver.

At a Glance At least one person was killed after a pileup involving as many as 70 cars in Ames, Iowa, Monday.

Officials described it as one of the worst incidents they've seen in the area.

The roadway was later reopened in both directions.

After a massive pileup involving dozens of vehicles left at least one person dead on Interstate 35 near Ames, Iowa, Monday, officials announced the roadway has been reopened to traffic.

The crash, which was described by authorities as "major," involved as many as 70 vehicles, the Associated Press reported. In addition to the fatality, at least five others were critically injured , officials told KCCI.com.

The state Department of Transportation tweeted that the roadway had been reopened in both directions Monday evening.

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Story County Sheriff’s Department officials told KCCI.com that it was one of the worst pileups they've seen in the area.

Motorist Ryan German told WeAreIowa.com that after a car smashed into his vehicle near exit 113 , he got out and began helping others.

"As soon as I saw there weren't any more cars, I watched about 20 to 30 cars start piling up," German said. "There was one officer that arrived first. I saw a man was injured. He had lacerations. Me and a few others helped pull him out. He had some pretty deep lacerations."

Several roads across the state were closed because icy conditions led to crashes , the Des Moines Register said. All roads in central Iowa were snow-covered, and officials urged drivers to be extra cautious while driving on Monday , according to WHO-TV.

Ames is located about 35 miles north of Des Moines.