Traffic into Memphis backed up for miles

CRITTENDEN COUNTY, Ark. (KAIT) - Arkansas motorists heading across the Mississippi River on Tuesday found themselves stalled for hours.

A fatal crash near the Interstate 55 bridge and an incident on the Interstate 40 bridge stopped both south and eastbound traffic.

Eastbound traffic was halted around 10 a.m. June 7 when crews reported seeing someone beneath the I-40 bridge.

According to our sister station, WMC-TV in Memphis, police shut down all eastbound lanes of travel while rescue crews in boats and a helicopter searched the area.

By 1:30 p.m., police had reopened the interstate after rescuers were unable to locate anyone.

While crews worked to clear that scene, a fatal crash near the I-55 bridge shut down all southbound traffic.

The Arkansas Department of Transportation confirmed at least one person died in the crash that involved multiple vehicles.

IDriveArkansas showed traffic headed to Tennessee backed up for miles for hours.

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