News Summary
Greenville County experienced significant traffic disruptions today due to two incidents on I-85 South. A crash involving two tractor-trailers closed one lane for cleanup, while a separate investigation of a suspicious package led to several hours of halted traffic. Authorities confirmed no injuries were reported, and traffic is now back to normal. Investigations are ongoing to ensure safety on the corridor.
Greenville, SC – The right lane of traffic on I-85 South in Greenville County has reopened following a crash involving two tractor-trailers. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) confirmed that the lane was cleared as of 9:30 a.m. this morning.
The crash occurred near Exit 51C, which leads to Interstate 385 North, and was initiated by a rear-end collision, as reported by the Greenville Police Department. One of the tractor-trailers involved in the accident was carrying powdered yogurt, resulting in some delays and cleanup efforts.
In a separate incident earlier in the day, traffic on I-85 was halted for several hours due to the investigation of a suspicious package. This incident took place near Exit 44 at White Horse Road, creating a traffic backlog that extended for over four hours while law enforcement agencies worked at the scene.
Greenville County dispatch confirmed that the investigation was related to a tractor-trailer, prompting a response from SWAT and Bomb team members to assist South Carolina State Transport Police. The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) bomb squad, along with FBI agents, were also called to aid in assessing the situation after a routine traffic stop at approximately 3:30 p.m.
In light of the potential bomb threat, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster addressed the public through social media, indicating that the closure of I-85 was temporary and enacted “out of an abundance of caution” while authorities evaluated the suspected threat. Traffic flow on I-85 South was only restored at around 7:36 p.m. after the scene was handled and deemed safe by SLED’s bomb squad.
Initially, reports suggested that the situation involved a hazardous materials spill due to an automated system error; however, this was later clarified to be linked to the investigation of the suspicious package.
Current traffic conditions are back to normal on I-85 South, but the twin incidents have led to significant disruptions in the area. Authorities have not reported any injuries associated with either incident. The Greenville Police Department continues to conduct investigations to ascertain the details and implications of the crash and the suspicious package situation.
Both incidents are reminders of the complex management required in maintaining safety on busy highways. As updates continue to develop, further information will be shared regarding any changes to road conditions or safety concerns in the Highway 85 corridor.
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: SCDOT Lane Closed I-85 After Tractor-Trailer Crash
- WSPA: Tractor-Trailer Crash Closes Portion of Highway 418
- WSAZ: Bomb Threat Shuts Down Lanes I-85 Greenville, SC
- Wikipedia: Interstate 85
- Google Search: I-85 Traffic News
