Western Nebraska (NorthwestIowaNow.com) — An Iowa man is dead following a massive 16-vehicle pileup in western Nebraska over the weekend.

The Nebraska State Patrol says a sudden dust storm blinded drivers on Saturday afternoon, triggering the crash on Interstate 80 near Brule. Several vehicles caught fire.  Officials confirmed that 56-year-old Steven Wichman of Pocahontas, Iowa, died at the scene. Five others were rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries, at least one of them life-threatening.

The crash forced authorities to shut down I-80 in both directions for hours. The westbound lanes reopened late Saturday night, while eastbound traffic finally resumed early Sunday morning.