Dust storm crash
© APThis May 22, 2014 image provided by the New Mexico State Police shows the crash site in southwestern New Mexico.
Six people are dead and all that remained of the several vehicles involved in a fiery crash along Interstate 10 in southwestern New Mexico were charred hunks of nearly indiscernible metal.

New Mexico State Police said the crash in Hidalgo County, several miles from the Arizona border, came as New Mexico and the region was struck Thursday afternoon by a violent storm system.

Severe weather and large hail caused multiple car wrecks in northern New Mexico on Thursday and the eastern part of the state saw damaging winds reaching more than 60 mph.

Thick dust was reported in southern New Mexico on Thursday. Signs along the stretch of the interstate where the crash happened warn of dust storms.

"A sudden dust storm that limited visibility to almost nothing caused the lead vehicle to stop suddenly, causing a chain reaction of rear-end collisions," police said in a statement issued Friday.

After the flames from Thursday's crash were doused, workers dragged all of the wreckage to the side of the road. Photographs show the burned-out shell of what was left of a car along with the twisted metal frames of several tractor trailer rigs.

Police said six people were confirmed dead in the collision. They're identities have yet to be released.

Police said Friday that three passenger vehicles, one recreational vehicle and three commercial vehicles were involved.

Police said the exact sequence of events is still under investigation.

Associated Press