Morning Wreck Brought Section Of I-40 To A Standstill

The wreck, which involved a tractor-trailer and two vehicles, happened around 10 a.m., about a half mile east of the Harrison Avenue exit.

The

state Highway Patrol

says the accident happened when Amanda Winkler, 23, of Hudson, N.C., tried to move into the right lane on westbound I-40. As cars approached, they say she swerved back to the left, overcorrected, and ended up under an 18-wheel tractor-trailer.

Winkler was pinned inside her car.

"She was very hysterical, crying. She was very emotional," says witness William Tanner. "She said she was in a lot of pain, but we did have somebody talking to her as well as hold her hand -- just try to calm her down so she would not go into shock."

Winkler was transported by LifeFlight to UNC Hospitals, where she was treated and released.

A pick-up truck was also involved. It was hit and overturned just a few yards behind the car and tractor-trailer.

The Highway Patrol reopened all westbound lanes just before noon.Eastbound lanes were closed at one point for LifeFlight to land.