Northbound I-85 Closed Near Gaffney After Deadly Accident

Work continues Monday to clear remove the damaged Highway 150 bridge over Interstate 85 near Gaffney.

That portion of northbound I-85 at the 93 mile marker is expected to be closed until Wednesday according to SCDOT District 3 engineer Jason Allison. 

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. 

Allison says it will take months to replace the Highway 150 bridge. 

Reporting by Graeme Moore

SC Department of Transportation officials say it will be Tuesday before a portion of I-85 damaged in a wreck will be opened.

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.

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 breaks before striking the bridge support," Fowler said.

The impact from the collision severely damaged the SC Highway 150 bridge which, along with the intense heat from the fire.

Autopsies have been set for Monday morning in Newberry to assist Fowler in his investigation.

The tractor-trailer crash has forced the closing of the SC 150 bridge crossing I-85 at mile marker 92 near Gaffney. Northbound traffic on I-85 is being re-routed around the crash site on the frontage road by the SC Highway Patrol. 

The crash has damaged at least one of the three support columns. SCDOT bridge engineers are at the location to inspect the damage. An emergency contract will be issued once the damage has been assessed and course of action is determined by SCDOT. The Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

SCDOT engineers are attempting to re-open I-85 northbound as soon as possible. However it’s estimated that the detour will remain in place for days. The public can expect the SC 150 bridge to be closed for some time.

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

Click here to see a map of the route.