Wake Forest, N.C. — A wreck that knocked down utility poles Saturday afternoon caused traffic delays along Capital Boulevard near Wake Forest.

The northbound lanes of Capitol Boulevard were closed between Durant and Burlington Mills Road overnight, but have been reopened.

Witnesses told WRAL News that a tractor-trailer rammed into the back of a silver Nissan truck and then hit utility poles at about 4:30 p.m.

The collision happened as both vehicles were traveling southbound and pulling up to a traffic light, according to witnesses.

“Then the next thing you know, the light turns yellow. The gray truck comes to a stop. As he was proceeding to stop, the 18-wheeler hit him in the rear and shot him through the intersection. We saw the 18-wheeler split the pole, and everything came to a rest from there,” witness Keith Woodward said.

Witnesses said Jason Thomas Reed, 28, who was driving the Nissan truck, said he was on his way to pick up his newborn baby at the hospital when the crash occurred.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Juan Santos Oviedo, 54, of Raleigh, was charged with failure to reduce speed, police said.

Neither driver sustained serious injuries.