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.