(GAINESVILLE, Fla.) - The Florida Highway Patrol says 10 people have died in a series of early-morning crashes on a dark highway that was shrouded in haze and smoke.
Officials say at least 18 were injured in crashes on both sides of Interstate 75 south of Gainesville shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday.
Authorities are trying to determine what caused the pileup.
The highway had been closed for a time because of the mixture of fog and heavy smoke from a brush fire that may have been intentionally set.
At least five cars and six tractor-trailers were involved.
Dr. Timothy Flynn, chief medical officer for Shands Healthcare, says three of the six patients being treated in the trauma center needed surgery.
Four patients remain in the hospital's emergency room, and eight people have been treated and released.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
