PELHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — I-65 northbound is closed Thursday at Highway 119 in Pelham. An 18-wheeler was flipped on its side and has caught on fire.
The Pelham Fire Department is on the scene and working to clear the wreckage in an effort to get traffic moving. The Pelham Police Department stated it appeared the tractor-trailer blew a tire before it crashed into the median wall. Another crash happened as two other drivers attempted to avoid the tractor-trailer. Five people were injured, and one was taken to a hospital. The tractor-trailer was hauling watermelons.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the crashes occurred at about 12:21 p.m. ALEA stated the northbound lanes will be blocked for an unknown amount of time.
Southbound traffic on I-65 is still moving.