Police say several people are dead and many injured in three separate crashes along I-40 this Saturday.

Bill Sadler with the Arkansas State Police tells KARK the accidents happened early Saturday morning on I-40 between Brinkley and Wheatley.

The first accident happened around 3 a.m. when a car driven by 52-year-old Albert Barnes of Brinkley....crashed into the back of a big rig.  Barnes died at the scene..

The next --  at around 5 a.m. In that crash -- two were killed after an explosion caused by the accident.  Two people were also sent to the hospital on that scene.

And the third -- at around 7:30 a.m. Thankfully, no injuries or death happened then.

So the reason for the accidents?  Police believe construction on the interstate -- could be a factor.  Also, traffic backed up from the first accident could be a contributing factor to the second accident.