COOKE COUNTY, TX – Three people are dead and several others are injured after a 5-car accident on Interstate 35 just south of Gainesville just before noon.

A red semi was trying to get around several vehicles as the highway reduced to one lane northbound Interstate 35 at the FM 1306 bridge. While doing so, that semi crushed three cars, killing three people.

Witnesses say they saw the red 18-wheeler rear end three cars and another semi when the truck was going too fast as it approached construction on Interstate 35 northbound.

James Crayton, 59, of Dallas was driving the red truck. The first car hit was crushed and exploded into flames. Both people in the car died on the scene.

The driver of the second car was transported by air ambulance to John Peter Smith Hospital. The passenger was taken to North Texas Medical Center in Gainesville.

The driver of the third vehicle hit also died on the scene.

Witnesses rushed to the aid of the victims to try and put out the burning vehicles. We’re told three more people were injured, one of whom was transported by air ambulance from the scene.

“It's extremely bad, these people are coming down through here and of course they're having to slow down for the construction and they're just not paying attention and now three people have died," Trooper Mark Tackett, Texas DPS, said.

All northbound traffic was shut down and diverted to access roads.