Drivers: Smoke from wheat field caused 24-car pileup on I-795
Drivers at the interstate said the accident was caused by a fire nearby, which created poor visibility on the interstate.
Posted — UpdatedThe accident happened around 6 p.m. on I-795 near Alton Road south of Black Creek.
Multiple drivers at the scene told WRAL News that a fire in a nearby wheat field caused the crash, adding the fire made visibility "essentially zero" for drivers on the interstate.
Authorities confirmed 24 vehicles were involved in the crash.
Sky 5 flew over the scene for more than 40 minutes while crews worked to clear the wreckage.
Wayne County authorities said they did not receive word of any serious injuries to the drivers involved. Wilson County Community Preparedness Coordinator Rodney Dancy said at least 12 people with minor injuries were taken to the hospital.
One of the vehicles involved was a tractor trailer carrying propane, but authorities said the tanker was empty at the time of the crash and posed no threat.
State Highway Patrol has asked the Department of Forestry to take a closer look at the role the burning wheat field played in this crash.
They'll also be looking to see if any laws about when and where burning can occur might have been broken.
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