UPDATE
WSB-TV reports that the tractor-trailer that crashed and caught fire early Monday morning in Atlanta, causing all lanes of Interstate 285 to shut down hit two passenger cars on the side of the interstate.
One of the cars reportedly caught on fire. Police reported that the tractor-trailer was carrying vegetables.
The driver was not injured, and the two passenger cars it hit were reported to be unoccupied.
The second crash, which occurred less than an hour later and did not involve a tractor-trailer, also caused major backups on the southbound side of I-285. DeKalb County police told WSB-TV that a pedestrian was killed and the driver stayed on scene.
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ATLANTA — Parts of Interstate 285 in Atlanta were shut down Monday morning due to a pair of incidents, one involving a burning tractor-trailer.
WXIA reports that a tractor-trailer on I-285 at Flat Shoals Road was on fire, which caused all eastbound lanes to close. As of the time of reporting, it is unclear as to what caused the fire and what was burning on the truck.
RED ALERT #1. ALL lanes still blocked I-285 EB past Flat Shoals Road. Use Moreland Avenue or I-75/85 North through downtown. #11alive pic.twitter.com/Of996Eaynz
— TrafficTrackers (@11AliveTraffic) June 20, 2022
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that “huge plumes of white smoke were still billowing from the charred big rig as of 7 a.m.” AJC traffic reporter Mike Shields said he believes an investigation will prolong the closure even after the flames are out.
There was also another incident that blocked all the lanes of I-285 southbound at Glenwood Road. Traffic there was being diverted off the interstate, but some lanes were reopened around 7:30 a.m. EST.
RED ALERT #2. ALL lanes blocked I-285 SB at Glenwood Road, traffic diverted off the interstate but delays jam back to Memorial Drive. Use I-75/85 South through the city. #11alive pic.twitter.com/BvkpDxOLLd
— TrafficTrackers (@11AliveTraffic) June 20, 2022
It was reported that some drivers were turning around exits, even though that is illegal unless directed police.
It's quite illegal to turn around on the exit unless directed by police but it's happening I-285 SB with all lanes blocked at Glenwood Road. #11alive pic.twitter.com/ZcrPldFp5C
— TrafficTrackers (@11AliveTraffic) June 20, 2022
Traffic was delayed back to Memorial Drive and motorists were urged to use I-75/85 south to go around the incidents.
As of 6:30 a.m. EST, some lanes are reported to be reopened.
Some good news, the wreck I-285 Sb at Glenwood now has a few right lanes open but delays still nasty back to memorial Drive. #11alive pic.twitter.com/5jD9lfyj98
— TrafficTrackers (@11AliveTraffic) June 20, 2022
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