Wreck on Wright Memorial Bridge backs up OBX traffic at least 10 miles
A five-car accident Saturday on the eastbound lanes of Wright Memorial Bridge backed up traffic for at least 10 miles on U.S. 158.
The accident was cleared by about 1:30 p.m., but the traffic jam would likely last until late Saturday afternoon, said Dare County Sheriff Doug Doughtie.
No one was seriously injured, he said, calling it a miracle.
The accident occurred about a mile from the Dare County side of the eastbound lanes.
As of early Saturday afternoon, it was not certain what caused the 11 a.m. collision. In the aftermath, a white pickup with large tires had run over the top of the back end of a sedan and hit the rear end of a sport utility vehicle. At least two other vehicles were caught in the accident.
Officials were on the scene investigating in the midday sun with 90 degree temperatures and a heat index of 100.
By 12:30 p.m., people had left their vehicles and were sitting in beach chairs on the bridge with colorful umbrellas perched overhead and coolers next to their side. Others left the cars they were in and began walking toward Dare County. Hoods were perched open as some cars overheated.
The line of traffic into Currituck County stretched for at least 10 miles and today, the trip to the beach took much longer than usual.
Jeff Hampton, 252-491-5272, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com
———
©2020 The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Va.)
Visit The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Va.) at pilotonline.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
