CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A stretch of northbound Interstate 85 in north Charlotte is closed after a tractor-trailer was involved in multiple incidents Friday night, police said.
Crews first responded to reports of downed light poles near University City Boulevard around 9 p.m. This led to multiple incidents being reported along the highway, stretching from North Graham Street to Mallard Creek Church Road. Because of the debris in the road, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police closed I-85 at Exit 42, which is the U.S. 29/I-85 connector, and detoured all traffic to North Tryon Street.
Medic confirmed that two people were taken to the hospital after related incidents. One of those patients was taken as an emergency.
As of 12 a.m., all traffic is still being detoured from the interstate while crews work to remove the debris and restore power. Two lanes of southbound I-85 are closed between University City Boulevard and west W.T. Harris Boulevard, but traffic is moving.
Drivers should avoid I-85 between North Graham Street and University City Boulevard until crews are able to clear the scene. Drivers can use I-485 as an alternate route to I-85 near Concord Mills Boulevard.
WCNC Charlotte has reached out to North Carolina State Highway Patrol and CMPD for more details about this incident.