I-85 Reopens After Fatal Wreck in Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — A fatal tractor-trailer crash forced authorities to close part of Interstate 85 North in Orange County late Monday, and the highway didn't reopen until Tuesday morning.

One lane of I-85 reopened to traffic at about 7 a.m. Tuesday, but the other lane remained closed until about 11:30 a.m., causing traffic delays in the area.

State troopers said the rig was hauling cardboard and furniture at about 11:30 p.m. Monday near Hillsborough when it went over a guardrail, overturned and caught fire. Authorities said the driver, whose name was not released, died in the accident.

Orange Rural Fire Department Assistant Chief Ricky Cherry said crews had a tough time putting out the fire because of hot spots between the bundles of cardboard. He said crews had to pull apart each bundle and soak them with water.

Three fire departments and two water tankers were used to put out the fire. The cab of the truck had already been removed, and crews had to bring in dump trucks and a backhoe to haul away debris.