Crash closes I-85 near E. Club Blvd. near Durham

DURHAM, NC (WNCN) — A collision in the southbound lanes of Interstate-85 in Durham County caused severe traffic delays early Friday afternoon.

The collision occurred just before 1 p.m. near mile marker 197/E. Club Boulevard, Durham Fire Department officials said.

Law enforcement closed the lanes of southbound I-85 until 1:30 p.m. when one lane was reopened.

A CBS 17 crew spotted a dump truck and semi-truck on the shoulder, while images from the scene showed median barriers snapped in half.

Durham Fire Brigade officials said two vehicles were transporting sand and gravel and both were on their side after the wreck.

A vehicle caught fire and the driver was removed before firefighters arrived. The driver of the second vehicle required help from firefighters to get out of the vehicle.

Both trucks leaked diesel fuel and one truck caught fire.

Drivers have been urged to avoid the area as backups on the southbound lanes extend more than two miles to near Red Mill Road.

The freeway reopened around 3 p.m., but one exit was closed until after 6 p.m