Local News

Fire, wreck disrupt traffic on I-540, U.S. 64

A tractor-trailer fire and a wreck involving a motorcycle tied up traffic along U.S. Highway 64 in Chatham County and Interstate 540 in Raleigh Wednesday morning.

Posted Updated
Tractor-trailer fire on U.S. 64
APEX, N.C. — A tractor-trailer fire and a wreck involving a motorcycle injured three people and tied up traffic along U.S. Highway 64 in Chatham County and Interstate 540 in Raleigh Wednesday morning.

A tractor-trailer rear-ended a dump truck on U.S. 64 East around 5:45 a.m., knocking both vehicles off the right side of the road, state troopers said. The tractor-trailer then caught on fire.

Both drivers were injured, troopers said. One was transported to WakeMed in Raleigh, and one to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

What caused the tractor-trailer to rear-end the dump truck isn't clear, but troopers said they expect to file charges after the investigation is complete.

Crews assessed the wreck scene as a hazardous-materials situation. Authorities shut down eastbound lanes of U.S. 64, near N.C. Highway 751, for about three hours. 

One person was injured in the wreck involving a motorcycle on I-540 West, near Capital Boulevard in Raleigh, around 7 a.m., troopers said.

Two lanes of I-540 West were closed, backing up traffic to Buffaloe Road at one point.

 Credits 

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.