MASSAC COUNTY — Three people died in an eight-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon on westbound I-24 in Metropolis.

According to Illinois State Police, troopers responded to investigate the crash at about 12:40 p.m. Of the 13 people involved, three were fatalities, six were taken to area hospitals due to injury and four indicated no injury. Seven of the vehicles were stopped in traffic on I-24 westbound near milepost 37. The 2007 Volvo Truck Tractor/Semi-Trailer, driven by a 57-year-old man from Mississippi, failed to slow down and struck the line of vehicles resulting in a chain reaction crash.

ISP says identification of the three fatalities will be held until family members are notified by the Massac County Coroner.

ISP continues to investigate the crash.