Be careful: Multiple crashes on major highways in Triangle cause messy morning commute

Published 22/11/2023 · Updated 22/11/2023

Be careful on the roads this morning! Hazardous conditions like heavy rain, ponding water, localized flooding and gusty winds caused multiple crashes overnight and into Wednesday morning. With so many extra people on the road for holiday travel, the dangerous road conditions are causing additional traffic jams and accidents.

At times during the commute, drivers described the visibility as extremely low due to the rain and complained of hydroplaning on slick roads.

Two crashes on I-40 westbound slow traffic in Raleigh

Traffic is ‘at a stand-still’ on I-40 westbound on Wednesday morning, with multiple crashes happening during the messy morning commute and holiday travel. The WRAL StormTracker is on the roads, showing hazardous conditions like pooling water, localized flooding, heavy rain and gusty winds.

Traffic flowing again after ‘stand still’ on I-40 westbound near NC-42

Traffic was stopped Wednesday morning on I-40 westbound near the NC 42 interchange. This crash has been cleared, but traffic may be backed up still.

If you’re coming in from McGee’s Crossroads, take Highway 50 up to NC 42.

Delays on I-40 westbound near S. Saunders Street

A 3-car crash on I-40 westbound by the Avent Ferry Road bridge has closed all but one lane. Drivers will run into heavy delays starting around S.

Saunders Street. As of 6:30 a.m., there was a 41-minute delay due to traffic in the vicinity of this crash. Traffic seems to be flowing more freely, but delays may linger.

WRAL’s Brian Shrader said I-40 East should be a good alternate route. The vehicles appeared pretty badly damaged. WRAL News is working to learn if anyone was injured.

Crash on I-40 E

Both directions of Cole Mill Road in Durham closed due to crash, downed power line

Cole Mill Road is closed between Hillsborough Road and I-85 in both directions due to a crash that caused a snapped power pole and blown transformer.

Duke Power is on scene. The road closure is expected to last through the morning commute.

Traffic flowing again on I-40 East after two crashes cause major delays

Multiple crashes on I-40 eastbound caused traffic backups in both Raleigh and Durham.

Crash with injuries causing delays on I-40 East near Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh

A Wednesday morning crash on I-40 East has been causing major backups near the Rock Quarry Road exit. The two left lanes are closed near Exit 300 at Rock Quarry Road.

Traffic cameras showed long lines of traffic at a stand still. Drivers heading towards Garner or Johnston County on I-40 East will likely get caught in these delays. This crash has caused injuries.

Eastbound lanes of I-40 reopen after crash near S.

Miami Blvd. in Durham

A crash was causing delays in the eastbound lanes of I-40 near S. Miami Boulevard in Durham. The left lane reopened near Exit 281 at S.Miami Boulevard.

Traffic should be flowing freely.

Both directions of US 70 reopen after fatal crash in Wake County

A deadly crash has closed Business-70 in both directions near Walnut Drive and I-40. Both directions are closed between Guy Road and Auburn Knightdale Road. The road has reopened near Walnut Drive, but drivers are advised to avoid the area and follow the direction of on-scene emergency personnel.

It might be a good idea to use Garner Road as an alternate route – to avoid any delays.

Crash blocks lanes on I-440 East near Poole Road in Raleigh

An early morning crash was blocking two right lanes near Poole Road on the Beltline.

Both right lanes have reopened one mile after Exit 15 at Poole Road.