Interstate 79 in Jackson Township is closed in both directions following a series of crashes that resulted in one fatality, according to state police

At least 18 vehicles were involved in a number of crashes between the Zelienople and Evans City exits, and someone was killed in one of the crashes, police said.

A multi-vehicle crash with injuries was reported just after 10:15 a.m. in the northbound at mile marker 84 in Jackson Township, according to a Butler County Emergency Services dispatch. The lanes in both were described as a “sheet of ice.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has closed the northbound and southbound lanes of the interstate between exit 83, the Evans City exit, and exit 88, the Zelienople 68 exit.

In addition, PennDOT has lowered the speed limit on I-79 between Route 5 in Erie to Butler to 45 mph, and commercial vehicles are restricted to the right lane.

Police said the interstate will be closed for several hours while they investigate.