A complicated crash cleanup in an Ohio construction zone left drivers stranded on Interstate 71 for more than eight hours overnight. 

A series of crashes occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday night, July 16th on northbound Interstate 71 just outside of Columbus, Ohio. 

According to WJHL, two semi trucks collided in a narrow construction zone with no shoulder at the Madison and Pickaway county lines. A short time later, a second crash involving a box truck and a passenger vehicle occurred nearby. Two people from each crash were hospitalized. The injuries are not considered to be life threatening. 

The location of the wrecks created a complicated crash cleanup due to the narrow lanes and lack of shoulders, forcing crews to close the interstate with no room to let cars pass through. Heavy machinery was used to remove the semi trucks and cargo. Drivers caught in the gridlock were stranded on the highway from State Route 38  through U.S. Route 62 from about 10:30 p.m. until 6:50 a.m. the following morning. 

The Columbus Dispatch reports that troopers had to walk through the lines of stopped cars to wake motorists who had fallen asleep overnight. 

No further information has been released.