A deadly crash involving all least three semi trucks and three passenger vehicles has shut down part of North Carolina’s I-95 in both directions.
3-4 fatalities reported in I-95 crash near SC border https://t.co/gG5sb3bmP9 via @abc11_wtvd
— sunnieM (@sunnieM) May 16, 2017
The crash happened around 1 p.m. near exit 10 in Robeson County. The chain reaction crash involved at least three semis and three passenger vehicles. According to the Robeson County Emergency Management, one of the semi truck drivers attempted to avoid the crash by driving into the northbound lanes. That truck then crashed off of the interstate into a wooded area, where it caught fire.
Video of a firey crash on I-95. Both lanes are currently closed near mile marker 7. At least three dead.Vid via Angela McKenzie pic.twitter.com/Uoh2FQpxzu
— Ed Piotrowski (@EdPiotrowski) May 16, 2017
One of the trucks in the crash was hauling gasoline.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
The number of people killed in the crash is thought to be between three and four at this time. It isn’t clear how many people were injured.
Weeds and waiting in rural Robeson Co. as I95 traffic detoured around Horrific traffic multi-vehicle accident on Interstate that killed 4. pic.twitter.com/Y1pvKLPRwB
— Greg Barnes (@GregBarnesABC11) May 16, 2017
The crash shut down traffic in both directions on I-95 between Exit 2 and Exit 10. Northbound lanes are expected to reopen soon. NCDOT says that the southbound lanes likely won’t reopen until midnight.
NCDOT has set up a 10 mile detour to help drivers avoid the closed interstate. Here are the detour details: “A detour is in place. Motorists headed northbound must take Exit 2 and turn left onto N.C. 130 North. Continue onto N.C. 130 North to U.S. 301 North/Bond Street. Follow U.S. 301 North to get back to I-95 North.
For drivers traveling south, take Exit 10 and turn right onto U.S. 301 South. Continue for nine miles and turn left onto N.C. 130 East/East Main Street to turn onto I-95 South.”