Tractor trailer crash blocked busy road’s connection with I-20, police say
A crashed tractor trailer blocked all of a busy South Carolina road’s connections to Interstate 20 during the Monday morning commute, according to the Lexington Police Department.
The overturned 18-wheeler closed all the inbound and outbound lanes on South Lake Drive at Exit 55 on I-20, police said in a news release. South Carolina Department of Transportation traffic cameras showed that the collision has not backed up vehicles driving on I-20.
The collision was caused by the tractor trailer driver going too fast for conditions, police said.
The wreck happened the day after a snowstorm ended and freezing cold temperatures left patches of snow and ice on Midlands roads.
It was not clear what time the crash occurred, but police reported the road closures just before 6 a.m.
There was no word if any other vehicles were involved in the crash, or if anyone was injured.
Police asked drivers to avoid the area and find an alternative route until the road reopens. Police said South Lake Drive at I-20 would be closed for an extended period of time because a heavy-duty wrecker was needed.
SCDOT urged drivers to stay off all Midlands roads on Monday morning, if possible.
“If you must be on the road, use extreme caution and slow down,” SCDOT said on social media.
Just before 10 a.m., police said that inbound lanes of South Lake Drive at I-20 would stay closed for several more hours as crews remove the cargo from the overturned tractor trailer and load it onto an empty trailer. Once that is done, the heavy-duty wrecker service can begin work on removing the truck and trailer from the road.
Outbound lanes reopened at that time for those leaving Lexington on South Lake Drive, according to police.
At about 11:15 a.m., the truck was removed from the road and all lanes reopened, police said.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reported more than 1,300 collisions across the state during the recent winter storm.
“This underscores how hazardous conditions remain and why drivers should stay off the roads until conditions improve and roadways are clear,” SCDOT said.
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This story was originally published February 2, 2026 at 6:52 AM.
