Crash blocks traffic on interstate running through Columbia

A crash caused delays for drivers making the Tuesday morning commute on a highway running through Richland County.

All of the northbound lanes on Interstate 77 were blocked near Exit 6A, the South Carolina Department of Transportation said on Twitter. That’s the Shop Road exit in Columbia.

The collision happened at about 7 a.m., and several lanes on I-77 were closed before all northbound traffic was reported blocked at about 8 a.m., according to SCDOT.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety initially said injuries were reported in the wreck, but Master Trooper David Jones of South Carolina Highway Patrol later tweeted no one was hurt.

There was no word on what caused the crash, or the number of vehicles involved, but traffic cameras showed a tractor trailer truck jackknifed across the northbound lanes, and several emergency responders at the scene.

Vehicles were backed up for at least three miles, traffic cameras showed.

At about 9:50 a.m., SCDOT tweeted that I-77 had been cleared, but several other collisions were reported within 12 miles of the wrecked truck. At least one of the other crashes caused injuries, according to DPS.

Information on the number of people hurt, and their conditions, was not available.

Drivers in the area were warned to expect delays as crews worked to remove the truck from I-77, according to Jones.

If possible, drivers should try to avoid the area and find an alternative route until the scene is cleared.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

This story was originally published November 10, 2020 at 8:15 AM.

Noah Feit

The State

803-771-8435

Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription