Woman killed, sister injured in crash on I-40 in Durham

A deadly crash near Durham blocked the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 on Sunday, leaving some drivers stuck in traffic for several hours.

The crash was reported around 4:45 a.m. at Exit 282 for Page Road. According to Durham police, Brijette Basden, 24, of Kernersville, pulled over to the left side of I-40 in her Ford Fusion to switch places with her sister. 

Both sisters were standing outside the car, which was partially in the roadway, when they were struck by a Toyota Camry traveling in the far left westbound lane, police said. The Toyota veered to the right and was struck by another Toyota Camry.

Basden was killed in the crash, and her sister was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police. No other injuries were reported.

Very heavy delays were visible on traffic cameras until 11 a.m., when all lanes reopened.

Until 10:45 a.m., at least two left lanes remained closed, and traffic was inching along as cars were trying to merge over to the right to get out of the standstill. Once cars were able to merge to the right lanes, they were are able to take the Page Road or continue on I-40.

Miles of delays were reported before the crash cleared.