FORT WORTH, Texas – Parts of I-35 are still closed in Fort Worth Friday as crews work to remove vehicles from the interstate after a crash involving more than 100 vehicles killed six people.

The crash happened at 1601 N. Freeway shortly before 6:30 a.m. Thursday.

Officials say 133 vehicles were involved in the pileup and that six people died from their injuries. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office has released the names of five out of the six people that passed.

  • 45-year-old Aaron Like Watson of Fort Worth
  • 34-year-old Tiffany Louann Gerred of North Lake
  • 54-year-old William Darrell Williams of Pahoa
  • 47-year-old Michael Henry Wells of Justin
  • 49-year-old Christopher Ray Vardy of Boyd 

Thirty-six people were taken to hospitals and 65 sought medical care related to the crash.

Police said they do believe ice was a factor in the crash, but that they were still investigating.

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Spectrum News 1 reporters Brian Scott and Magalay Ayala before noon Thurday said “many” were still trapped in vehicles and that EMTs were concerned about hypothermia and cold-related issues for those people.

Four police officers were injured, but none suffered major injuries. One ambulance was hit during the incident.

Lawmakers including state Rep. Ramon Romero Jr. and state Sen. Beverly Powell have raised questions about whether or not the roadway had been treated ahead of the winter storm moving through the area.

“My office has been made aware of reports that the 35 managed lanes where this morning's deadly accident occurred may not have been properly treated by the operator. We are in contact with TxDot & area transportation leaders. We will be asking questions about the allegations & will update SD10 constituents accordingly. The winter weather conditions that have created dangerous conditions on N. Texas roads will continue throughout the weekend & possibly worsen. It is important to take caution as you move about the region and stay home if possible,” said Powell on Twitter.

Romero said he heard reports that Fort Worth Fire had to bring in salt and sand to treat the road in order to access the scene.

“Every resident of Fort Worth has known this weather was coming for days, yet nothing was done, and far too many people have lost their lives as a result. We will not rest until we get answers,” read part of his Twitter statement.

North Tarrant Express, the private company charged with pretreating the corridor released the below statement:

"We join the greater community in our thoughts for the accident victims, their families, and those recovering.  NTE & NTE35W maintenance crews started pre-treating the corridors on Tuesday morning in anticipation of inclement weather, and have been treating continuously as they monitor the roadway. We will continue treating the highways through the weekend and into next week, as long as the storm is active. Our crews treat the entire corridor, managed lanes, general purpose lanes, frontage roads and ramps, and operate under the same procedure as the Texas Department of Transportation. Additionally, our message boards throughout the corridors have been alerting drivers of the adverse weather conditions and encouraging them to drive with caution. Currently, the crews are assisting emergency responders to manage the accident scene and clean up in order to reopen the corridor, safely."

TxDOT, which maintains interstates throughout the state, released a statement Thursday evening addressing pretreatment of roadways throughout the state:

“Our thoughts are with the families of those involved in deadly crashes across the state in this tragic winder weather event. TxDOT is committed to the safety of drivers. During all weather events, TxDOT undertakes proactive, advance measures such as pretreating its roads, which can help prevent ice from sticking to the roadway. Conditions on roadways can change rapidly, and unfortunately, even with proactive measures the unpredictable and fast-changing severe Texas weather can still result in some ice accumulating. As we have done since earlier this week, TxDOT will continue to inform drivers on weather and road conditions; encourage them to only travel when necessary; and drive to the conditions on the roadway.”