Overturned Tanker Shuts Down I-85 Lanes, Snarls Morning Traffic

CHARLOTTE, NC — A tanker truck overturned on Interstate 85 near Interstate 77 Tuesday morning, shutting down all lanes of southbound travel and snarling area commuting trafic for hours.

Two people were taken to area hospitals with injuries, one of which was life-threatening, WCNC reported.

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the crash occurred in Charlotte in the southbound lane of I-85 at Exit 38 around 6:15 a.m.

The exit is the interchange with I-77. Drivers are urged to find alternate routes.

The lanes are expected to reopen by 10:15 a.m., NCDOT said.

Contents from the tanker spilled onto the roadway, however North Carolina Highway Patrol said it was not flammable, WSOC reported.