Ames, Iowa —Two people died during a crash Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 35, south of Ames. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash involving a semi and numerous other vehicles, happened on southbound I-35 at around 1:50-p.m., near mile marker 106.

Troopers say a 2007 Peterbilt semi driven by 32-year-old Matthew Rewiltzer, of Eagle Bend, MN, was in the left lane, when the rig failed to stop in a safe distance for vehicles ahead of it, that included a 2016 GMC Canyon and a 2005 GMC Econoline van. Those vehicles were stopped due to traffic congestion. After the semi hit the GMC’s, it continued forward, striking another semi and two additional semis and a van.

The driver of the GMC Canyon, 81-year-old Gordon Martens, and his passenger, 70-year-old Nora Martens, both of Van Meter, died at the scene. Both were wearing seat belts. The crash, which closed the southbound lanes of I-35 until approximately 6:30 p.m., remains under investigation.