May 24th Update 7:35 a.m.
The SC Highway Patrol says all roads in and around the crash site have been reopened.
SCDOT says a lane closure will be put into effect after 7 p.m. Tuesday to allow crews to install new guard rail and make minor asphalt repairs.
All lanes of the interstate reopened at 6:30 a.m.
May 24th Update 6:00 a.m.
Traffic has started flowing through Interstate 85 at Mile 93 as of 6:45 a.m. Tuesday.
May 23rd Update
The Cherokee County Coroner says the driver of a tractor trailer that wrecked and shut down I-85 early Sunday morning probably fell asleep at the wheel.
Coroner Dennis Fowler says Steven Woods Sr., 54, of Athens, Ga. was driving.
Gregory Lockhart, 42, of Buford, Ga., was a co-driver and asleep in the back of the cab.
“Woods was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the truck on impact. His body was found 22 feet from the point of impact on the right shoulder of the north bound lane of I-85. Mr. Woods sustained blunt force injury of the head and neck according to an autopsy conducted this morning,” Fowler said.
Based on information, Fowler said Woods was tired from other activities earlier in the day when he began the trip.
"I do know the driver had been awake for awhile," Fowler said. "In fact had very little sleep. He was very tired. And obviously continuing down. Fatigue played a big part."
Fowler said that the lack of sleep is a growing problem in the upstate and he sees too many fatalities as a result.
"I think you have to be responsible," said Fowler. "Not only to yourself, but to others who are out traveling."
One truck driver echoed Fowler's sentiments.
"I've seen about all of it," said Dale Parham, who has been driving 18 wheelers for over 20 years. "But yeah, there's a new experience everyday."
Parham said that he gets the necessary sleep he needs to get the job done safely.
"If we are tired, we pull over and go to bed," he said. "And we adjust our schedule the way we need to."
Fowler ruled both deaths as accidental.
Work continued Monday to remove the damaged Highway 150 bridge over Interstate 85 near Gaffney and most of the removal has been completed, said SCDOT spokesman Victor Edwards.
Edwards, with District 4, says they hope to have the interstate open by mid-morning Tuesday at the latest. After examining the asphalt on the interstate throughout Monday, Edwards said it appears they won't have to resurface the interstate quite yet, and it will likely be done at a later date.
However, Edwards also warned that some of the traffic control points around the detour will still be up, so drivers are urged to use extreme caution.
The northbound side of I-85 in Gaffney was shut down early Sunday morning after a tractor trailer hit a bridge abutment at the 92.5 mile marker.
Crews must remove the bridge and resurface the highway before the interstate can reopen. Northbound I-85 drivers are being taken off the highway at Exit 92 for a six mile detour back to the interstate north of the accident scene.
The crash has damaged at least one of the three support columns. The Highway Patrol is investigating the wreck.
Click here to see the construction live.
Edwards says the reasons crews can get this done so quickly is because this is obviously deemed an emergency.
When there's such an emergency, there is extra money that can be allotted along with outside contractors and DOT personnel working together.
There will be a lot of overtime to get this done, but they must have the interstate opened ASAP, Edwards says.
The project, when all is said and done, will cost millions of dollars.
They hope they could work with the federal government to find some reimbursement funds, but if not, the state will foot the bill.
Edwards says this does put other bridge and road projects on hold. He could not provide details on specific projects that would be delayed, but said this emergency project sets them back.
As for replacing the Highway 150 bridge, it could be months because they will have to work with the federal government to come up with a design plan.
The DOT spokesman said this is the worst impact he's ever seen.
Such structures are built to withstand impacts and not fail, but this one did fail.
CORONER INVESTIGATING WRECK
Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler is investigating the fiery crash which claimed 2 lives. Fowler says the collision happened about 2:35 AM. Fowler said a 2010 Freightliner truck pulling a box trailer struck the abutment and burst into flames on impact.
"The driver was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected coming to rest on the right shoulder of the roadway. Once the massive fire was brought under control, a second victim was discovered in the sleeper section of the truck. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. I am currently working to indentify both and make notification to next of kin. Their names are being withheld until this is done." Fowler said
The truck was being operated by Network Communications of Lawrenceville, Georgia and the team drivers were en route to the northeast with deliveries of printed materials scheduled for Virginia, New York and Pennsylvania according to company officials Fowler said.
"There was no sign that the driver ever applied brakes before striking the bridge support," Fowler said.
Autopsies have been set for Monday morning in Newberry to assist Fowler in his investigation.
DETOUR ROUTE
Northbound I-85 detours at exit 92 in Gaffney. DOT officials say the route will be marked with signs.
- Exit I-85 at exit 92
- Turn left onto Highway 11
- Turn right onto Wilcox Avenue
- Continue on Wilcox Avenue to Pleasant School Road
If driving in the right lane of Wilcox Avenue, follow the instructions below:
- Turn right onto Pleasant School Road
- Turn left onto Shelby Highway
- Turn Right to re-enter I-85
If driving in the right lane of Wilcox Avenue, follow the instructions below:
- At Pleasant School Road, continue straight through the intersection on Wilcox Avenue
- Turn left onto entrance ramp to Shelby Highway
- Turn right at the stop sign at Shelby Highway
- Turn Left to Re-enter I-85
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