Two Major Crashes Shut Down I-85 in Anderson County as Chemical Spill

Interstate 85 in Anderson County descended into chaos on Saturday morning after two separate major incidents involving hazardous materials and commercial trucks severely disrupted traffic, stranded motorists, and caused significant congestion on surrounding roads.

Authorities were forced to respond to two unrelated emergencies within hours of each other, creating one of the busiest mornings for emergency services along the interstate.

The first incident occurred at approximately 6:00 a.m. near Exit 19 on Interstate 85.

According to initial reports, a traffic collision resulted in a chemical spill, prompting an immediate response from firefighters, hazardous materials (HazMat) personnel, law enforcement officers, and transportation officials.

Emergency crews worked to:

• Secure the crash scene.
• Assess the hazardous substance involved.
• Contain and clean up the spill.
• Protect motorists and nearby communities from potential exposure.

Traffic was heavily affected as responders closed or restricted portions of the interstate to safely manage the incident. Authorities urged drivers to avoid the area while cleanup operations continued.  

Two 18-Wheelers Burst Into Flames in Second Crash

Just a few hours later, a second major crash unfolded near mile marker 10 on I-85.

Officials reported that two tractor-trailers (18-wheelers) collided, triggering a massive fire that engulfed both heavy trucks.

Thick black smoke billowed into the sky as firefighters battled the blaze and worked to prevent the flames from spreading to nearby vegetation or additional vehicles.

The collision forced another shutdown of sections of the interstate while emergency crews extinguished the fire and recovery teams began removing the heavily damaged trucks. Similar tractor-trailer fires on I-85 have previously required complete highway closures because of the intensity of the blaze and cleanup requirements.  

With major sections of Interstate 85 affected by both incidents, traffic was diverted onto local roads throughout Anderson County.

Motorists reported:

• Miles-long traffic backups.
• Gridlock on secondary routes.
• Significant delays for commuters and freight traffic.
• Increased congestion around interstate access points.

The sudden influx of diverted vehicles placed heavy pressure on local road networks that were not designed to accommodate interstate-level traffic volumes.

Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding both incidents.

Officials are expected to examine:

• Driver actions leading up to each crash.
• Vehicle conditions.
• Cargo carried by the vehicles.
• The nature of the chemical released in the first incident.
• Whether weather or road conditions played any role.

Authorities have not yet released information regarding injuries or potential fatalities associated with either crash.

RoadKing.ng Safety Insight

Saturday’s incidents highlight the significant risks associated with commercial transportation and hazardous cargo on major interstate highways.

Crashes involving heavy trucks can quickly escalate into large-scale emergencies due to:

• Hazardous material spills.
• Fuel-fed fires.
• Extended roadway closures.
• Environmental contamination.
• Widespread traffic disruption.

Motorists approaching crash scenes should slow down, maintain a safe following distance, and obey all instructions from emergency responders. When possible, checking traffic conditions before travel can help drivers avoid lengthy delays and secondary crashes.