Traffic on Interstate 87 in Wake County returned to normal on Monday afternoon after a fiery accident caused a closure of the southbound lanes earlier in the day. The incident, near Exit 9 on the Smithfield Road stretch near Zebulon, occurred when a tractor-trailer failed to slow down and rear-ended a tanker truck, causing the tractor-trailer to catch fire, as reported by WRAL.
The crash was first reported at around 7:30 a.m., as mentioned by WRAL. As investigators worked at the scene, thick smoke spread across the roadway, blocking all southbound traffic. Authorities advised drivers to use alternate routes to avoid the area.
According to CBS 17, one person was injured in a crash, though the injuries were not life-threatening. After several hours of cleanup and inspection, the North Carolina Department of Transportation reopened the interstate, easing delays for morning commuters. The exact cause of the crash "is still under investigation," and state troopers are working to determine what happened. Motorists are reminded to follow traffic signs, heed the guidance of authorities, and adjust their speeds based on traffic and road conditions.
