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.
