NCDOT: Wreck closes I-240 at Montford Bridge in Asheville, all lanes now open

Andrew Jones, Asheville Citizen Times
·2 min read
Crews work to clean up from a wreck on Interstate 240 in Asheville that closed the road most of the morning on Jan. 28. The wreck also damaged the Montford Avenue bridge.
Crews work to clean up from a wreck on Interstate 240 in Asheville that closed the road most of the morning on Jan. 28. The wreck also damaged the Montford Avenue bridge.

An I-240 wreck involving at least a waste container truck and another vehicle resulted in damage to the Montford Avenue bridge and the closure of the road, but North Carolina Department of Transportation officials say it could be partially open soon.

"We hope to have at least one lane open," by this afternoon, NCDOT spokesperson David Uchiyama said. He could not provide more information.

Currently I-240 West traffic is being diverted across Montford Avenue via Exit 4C, according to the Asheville Fire Department.

All traffic across the bridge was shut down as well.

Montford Avenue bridge was closed due to an Interstate 240 wreck that happened the morning of Jan. 28.
Montford Avenue bridge was closed due to an Interstate 240 wreck that happened the morning of Jan. 28.

North Carolina Highway Patrol spokesperson Rohn Silvers said details are still under investigation.

"(Troopers) are still on the scene actively working on it," Silvers said.

Asheville Police Department is the lead on the crash investigation, Silvers said, noting N.C. Highway Patrol was on the scene because it involved a commercial vehicle.

APD spokesperson Bill Davis

said in a release at about 3 p.m. that no one in the wreck was severely injured. The vehicle that was flipped was occupied by an adult and children, but none were severely injured.

The accident happened when the waste container truck's lift arm caught the underside of the bridge.

"The driver of the truck told investigators he was not aware the lift arm was up at the time," Davis said.

APD investigators cited the driver for inattention and failure to secure a load. He was transported to a local hospital.

Investigators in the release expressed thanks for a "good Samaritan" who stopped to help the injured right after the wreck happened.

"This person happened to be a doctor who assisted with those involved in the crash prior to the arrival of AFD and EMS," Davis said.

Asheville Fire Department Crews responded to the multi-vehicle accident the morning of Jan. 28.

It happened at mile marker 4.7, according to a social media post that shows the damage to the bridge, the damaged tow truck and a car flipped on its side.

AFD said in another post that NCDOT would remain on the scene throughout the day to deal with inspections and repairs.

Andrew Jones is Buncombe County government and health care reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow or reach him at @arjonesreports on Facebook and Twitter. Email him at arjones@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: NCDOT: Lanes opening soon after I-240 wreck in Asheville NC