One northbound lane of U.S. Highway 15-501 closed after wreck

Durham, N.C. — Durham police say a reckless driver caused the closure of northbound U.S. Highway 15-501 near Cornwallis Road Sunday evening.

The driver of a convertible was going 90 mph when the car struck a bridge guardrail at about 6 p.m., police said. Another vehicle then hit the convertible.

Department of Transportation officials were called to survey the damage, and a 20-foot section of the concrete guardrail had to be removed. Without it, there is nothing to prevent a vehicle from driving off the highway and falling onto Conwallis Road below.

"We're gonna be doing an evaluation and assessment of the damage," a DOT engineer said Monday morning. "And we'll be doing a demolition of the damaged portion to clean up the area."

The outer northbound lane of U.S. Highway 15-501 will remain closed during the repairs, which could take several days. Motorists are urged to find an alternative route.

The drivers of the vehicles were taken to Duke University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police withheld their names.

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Latest Comments

People make mistakes. Be thankful no one was killed. Be thankful you were not involved. Be thankful that YOU got away with it the last time YOU 'pushed' the speed limit or left that lane change to get to the exit ramp a tad too late.

littlebobeep
July 28, 2008 11:15 a.m.

Anyone remember the last time they saw a cop enforcing the speed limit on 147?

68_polara
July 28, 2008 11:02 a.m.

Huh, 90 is just a tiny bit faster than most of the drivers on that stretch. The posted limit is 55 which the majority of them read as either 75 or 85. And that is slow compared to the speed on the Durham Freeway between 154-501 and RTP.

Deep Thought
July 28, 2008 9:51 a.m.

it was a Saturn Sky.

Me again
July 28, 2008 9:35 a.m.

Dot's "evaluation and assessment" will take about three days and ten pickup truch "hood leaners" at which time they will hire an outside contractor who will fix it with temporary guard rail in about 4 hours.

WHEEL
July 28, 2008 8:41 a.m.