A pre-dawn fiery crash on Interstate 85 in Durham left at least one person dead early Monday and turned the morning commute into a mess for hours, as crews shut down the highway to battle flames and clear the wreckage.
The two-vehicle wreck unfolded on the east side of the city near the split where I-885 and U.S. 70 peel away from I-85. One car went up in flames, fully engulfed, while another landed in an embankment with heavy damage as firefighters and first responders rushed in.
What happened
Durham police said the collision, reported just after 3 a.m., involved two vehicles. One was found burning from end to end, and the other was off the roadway with significant damage, according to WRAL. At least one person died at the scene. Officials had not released the name of the victim, the number of people involved, or whether anyone else was hurt as of the initial update.
Fire crews spent hours knocking down the blaze and cooling the wreckage. State and local responders kept lanes closed while they worked, then gradually reopened the highway once debris was removed and the scene was safe.
Traffic and commute impact
Crashes in the stretch of I-85 near the U.S. 70 split are notorious for turning into marathon traffic jams, and past wrecks in the area have led to long closures and backups that spill onto neighborhood streets, according to The News & Observer. Monday’s crash fit that pattern, slowing the morning rush for drivers headed through east Durham.
Motorists were urged to expect delays and to consider alternate routes such as I-885 and U.S. 70 or I-40, depending on where they were coming from and where they needed to go. Ride-share drivers, delivery services, and commuters all faced detours and longer trip times while crews handled the aftermath.
Investigation
Durham police are investigating what led up to the deadly collision and have not yet released details on how the crash occurred or who was involved, officials told WRAL. The department said the probe is ongoing and that more information will be shared as investigators piece together the circumstances.
Authorities also asked drivers moving through the area to slow down and stay alert while emergency crews and tow operators finish their work around the crash site.
How to avoid delays
Drivers planning to travel this corridor are encouraged to check live traffic maps or navigation apps and use the I-885 and U.S. 70 connector or I-40 as alternate paths. The East End Connector, signed as I-885, was built by the North Carolina Department of Transportation to give drivers a bypass option between I-85 and I-40 that routes around central Durham.
Officials warned that lane restrictions could linger into the morning as wreckage is cleared and the pavement inspected. We will update this story as authorities release additional details.
