ELM CREEK, Neb. - Authorities are saying that one person was killed and several more were injured after a serious crash occurred Thursday morning in Central Nebraska. 

According to a Nebraska State Patrol news release, the agency said the crash "resulted in a fatality and other injuries."

Both lanes of I-80 are now open after being closed for over three hours following a five vehicle crash which caused intense traffic congestion. 

The crash happened near Exit 257 south of Elm Creek, which is 17 miles west of Kearney, shortly after 11 a.m.

The closure spanned 36 miles from Lexington to Kearney with lines of vehicles waiting for the closure to end.

The Nebraska State Patrol previously ordered westbound traffic to exit at Kearney mile marker 273. Eastbound traffic was ordered to exit at Lexington mile marker 237. 

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.