Early Thursday morning, a serious crash involving an overturned tractor-trailer caused significant traffic delays on I-85 near Exit 79 at Andrews Street in Rowan County. The accident, which resulted in at least one fatality, shut down two southbound lanes and caused a massive traffic backup stretching miles between Winston-Salem and Charlotte.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Emergency crews remained on the scene as investigators worked to assess the wreckage and clear the area. Troopers from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol reported that the crash occurred near Exit 79 and blocked two southbound lanes. While crews worked to clear the scene, traffic was directed around the closure, causing extensive delays.
Troopers confirmed that at least one person was killed in the incident, but the victim’s identity had not yet been released. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and authorities have not provided further details at this time.
Traffic Impacts and Delays
Due to the severity of the accident and the ongoing cleanup, drivers were warned to expect significant delays. North Carolina State Highway Patrol advised motorists to slow down and follow directions from on-site personnel to ensure safety as they navigated the area. While officials initially estimated that the highway could reopen by around 7 a.m., towing and cleanup efforts extended the delays well into the morning commute.
A Problematic Stretch of Highway
This area of I-85, particularly near Exit 79, has a history of traffic incidents. In November 2023, a tractor-trailer fire caused a prolonged shutdown of the highway, and other truck fires and accidents have caused significant disruptions on this busy stretch of road.
Drivers traveling between Winston-Salem and Charlotte are urged to check local traffic updates and consider alternative routes to avoid delays.
Ongoing Efforts
As of Thursday morning, authorities continued working on clearing the scene. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), along with local emergency crews and the highway patrol, were managing traffic control and cleanup efforts.
Drivers are advised to expect lingering backups in the area until the scene is fully cleared. Authorities will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
