JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. — Traffic was diverted for more than six hours Friday morning after a tractor-trailer jackknifed along I-40 in Johnston County.

The 18-wheeler jackknifed in the eastbound lane of I-40, near Cleveland, around 3:30 a.m.

The early morning mishap halted all traffic heading towards Interstate 95.

As state troopers closed the highway, a trucker's guardian angel helped unsnarl the mess.

"There were probably 12 to 15 trucks that were stuck and a couple of those were jackknifed. We pulled those out this morning and then we just kept working down the line," said Tim Hudson.

Ice on a hill caused the problem.

The main troubleshooter on the line was Hudson, who helped get the 18-wheeler, and other vehicles, back on track.

Hudson pulled out blow torches, and then chains. He often uses his own truck to help stranded motorists.

"We just get up everytime it snows and go out, day or night. More or less to have fun and help people so they can get home," he said.

Hudson, who is a commercial house painter, rescues stuck cars and trucks for free.

With his help, eastbound Interstate 40 was open to full traffic by 10 a.m.