Over the January 31, 2026 weekend, severe winter weather across the Carolinas triggered multiple high-impact crashes, stranding drivers and closing key roads without reported injuries.
I-85 Northbound Pileup
A two-vehicle crash near Kannapolis, NC escalated into a 100+ vehicle incident on I-85 northbound in Cabarrus County, involving over 30 tractor-trailers amid icy conditions and up to nine inches of snow. Lanes between mile markers 60-63 shut down for hours until reopening around 9:30 p.m., with NC National Guard, NCDOT, and State Highway Patrol aiding recovery.
Gastonia Train-Truck Collision
A train struck a semi-truck at Poplar Street in Gastonia, NC, halting local travel; no injuries noted as roads cleared post-incident.
Spartanburg I-85 Southbound Closure
A tractor-trailer crash near mile marker 81 blocked southbound I-85 lanes in Spartanburg County Saturday morning, with the semi wedged across multiple lanes during slick conditions.​
Greenville Crash Surge
Greenville Police Department reported eight wrecks in 25 minutes citywide, posting on social media to urge drivers to stay off roads amid the hazardous weather.
