News Summary
A series of collisions involving multiple vehicles on I-26 in Henderson County led to the temporary closure of the interstate Tuesday morning. The incidents began with a two-vehicle hit-and-run, resulting in escalating crashes that ultimately caused injuries and significant traffic disruptions. The North Carolina Department of Transportation recommended detours while cleanup efforts were ongoing. Authorities continue to monitor and assess the situation for road safety and reopening.
Henderson County, North Carolina – I-26 was temporarily closed on Tuesday morning due to a series of collisions involving multiple vehicles, resulting in traffic disruptions and injuries. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) reported that the first incident involved a two-vehicle hit-and-run, which occurred without any injuries. However, events escalated, leading to a third collision that resulted in a minor injury.
The initial incident, which occurred around 9:30 a.m. on the Green River Bridge, was a two-vehicle hit-and-run. Although there were no injuries from this collision, the rear vehicle from the incident was subsequently struck by another vehicle, causing a second collision, which also reported no injuries.
While traffic was halted following the first two crashes, a third collision occurred when a vehicle failed to slow down, crashing into the concrete barrier and colliding with four additional vehicles. This collision caused one minor injury, prompting authorities to act swiftly to clear the scene. As a result, I-26’s eastbound lanes were completely closed to facilitate emergency response and cleanup efforts.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) advised motorists to take exit 53 (Upward Road) as a detour while the closure was in effect. NCDOT indicated that the closure would last for an extended period, but they expected the interstate to reopen by noon on Tuesday after the incidents were cleared.
In a separate incident on Thursday, another crash on I-26 north of Asheville occurred at approximately 10:11 p.m., involving two cars and prompting further traffic delays. One lane of I-26 West reopened around 9 a.m. the following morning; however, the right lane remained closed until approximately 12 p.m.
Additionally, there was a severe multi-vehicle accident the previous week that led to the death of a driver in Henderson County. The deceased has been identified as Robert Copelan. His passenger, Kimberly Copelan, suffered injuries and is currently undergoing surgery. This fatal crash involved four vehicles, including two tractor-trailers, one of which was hauling tar, leading to a hazardous materials situation when approximately 3,000 gallons of oil spilled due to the collision.
The cleanup operations were extensive, with NCDOT crews utilizing sand to absorb the spilled tar. Some drivers were allowed to pass through to alleviate significant traffic buildup, but investigations into the cause of the multi-vehicle crash are still ongoing. NCSHP has confirmed that the resultant closure could last between 12 to 14 hours, necessitating repairs and thorough inspections of the damaged roadway.
Motorists are advised to remain informed about the conditions of I-26 as authorities continue to assess the situations and ensure that safety measures are prioritized. Updates on road reopenings and traffic conditions will be provided as they become available.
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Additional Resources
- WSPA: Spartanburg Co. Coroner Responding to Crash on I-26
- WLOS: I-26 East Closed Henderson County Crash Detour
- Fox Carolina: I-26 East Shut Down Near Weaverville After Crash
- WYFF: Interstate 26 Henderson County Shut Down Crash
- Wikipedia: Henderson County, North Carolina
