3 killed in fog-shrouded 75-vehicle pileup ..

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Galax, Va. • About 75 vehicles crashed Sunday along a mountainous, foggy stretch of interstate near the Virginia-North Carolina border, killing three people and injuring more than 20 others, police said.

Traffic backed up for about 8 miles in the southbound lanes of I-77 in southwest Virginia. Authorities closed the northbound lanes so that fire trucks, ambulances and police could get to the wreck.

A series of crashes began around 1:15 p.m. Sunday in the area of Fancy Gap Mountain. There was heavy fog at the time and photos of the scene after the accident showed poor visibility.

Several vehicles caught fire in the wreck, but the blaze was put out, Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said.

It wasn't immediately clear how bad the injuries were or how long the interstate would be closed. Tow trucks worked to clear some of the wrecked cars and trucks.

Motorists were advised to seek alternate routes.

3 killed in fog-shrouded 75-vehicle pileup in Virginia