TRAFFIC

2 dead, I-95 traffic backed up for miles in Virginia after tractor-trailer crash

Northbound I-95 has major delays near Exit 136

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Update: A tractor-trailer driver was charged and police identified the two crash victims. Go here for updates.

A deadly, multi-vehicle crash involving an overturned tractor-trailer caused delays on northbound Interstate 95 and closed Exit 136 in Northern Virginia during the morning rush on Wednesday.

Two people were killed in the crash. The driver of the truck was injured and taken to a hospital, according to police.

Traffic was backed up about five miles as of 7:20 a.m. starting north of Exit 130 in Fredericksburg. It was initially rerouted to Route 1 at Exit 136 towards the Centerport Parkway, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

“I-95 northbound travelers in the Fredericksburg area can expect major travel delays during the morning rush due to the closure, both on the interstate and along the alternate route, Route 1 northbound,” VDOT said.

Cars were getting by in two lanes to the left of the crash as of about 9:30 a.m., but delays continued.

Virginia State Police responded to the three-vehicle crash with a tractor-trailer at about 4:40 a.m.

“Unfortunately, it looks like we're going to have the northbound lanes and 95 closed for quite some time,” First4 Traffic Reporter Steve Dresner said.

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People driving home after the Fourth of July weekend waited in the traffic for hours.

“I am one exit down. It took me two hours to get to this point,” a driver said.

“I started my journey at 6:05 a.m. Yeah, now what time is it? 8 a.m., so two hours,” a driver said.

The Kim family caught the I-95 backup on their way back from Williamsburg to Chicago. They said it took them two hours to go three to five miles.

“We left at 5:45 a.m. and it was good for the first 100 miles and then we had traffic,” one member of the family said.

Southbound lanes remained open and were not affected, according to Dresner.

The cause of the crash is under investigation. Additional information was not immediately released.  

AAA said the worst travel times by car Wednesday would be between 3 and 6 p.m.

This is a developing story. Stay with News4 for more updates.

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