DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) – A collision in the southbound lanes of Interstate-85 in Durham County caused heavy traffic delays early Friday afternoon.
The collision occurred just before 1 p.m. near mile marker 197/E. Club Boulevard, Durham fire officials said.
Law enforcement had the southbound lanes of I-85 closed until 1:30 p.m. when one lane reopened.
A CBS 17 crew spotted a dump truck and tractor-trailer on their sides on the shoulder while images from the scene show barriers in the median ripped in half.
Durham fire officials said two vehicles were hauling sand and gravel and both were on their side after the wreck.
One vehicle was on fire, and that driver was removed before fire crews arrived. The driver of the second vehicle needed help from fire crews to get out of the vehicle.
Both trucks were leaking diesel fuel and one truck caught fire.
Drivers were encouraged to avoid the area as backups in the southbound lanes extend more than two miles to near Red Mill Road.
The highway reopened around 3 p.m., but an exit ramp was closed until after 6 p.m.