I-40 Closed In Gorge Due To Accident

Interstate 40 was closed in both directions in Haywood County near the Tennessee state line Friday evening (10/3) due to a collision that began just before 7 p.m. The accident happened near MM 3 inside North Carolina.

NCDOT officials say a Ford dually pickup truck pulling a horse trailer with a horse inside was headed westbound and crossed over the eight-inch median barrier. That truck then struck three cars traveling in the eastbound lane. North Carolina Highway Patrol says the driver of the truck was exceeding the 35 miles per hour speed limit in that area. The driver of the truck was cited for speeding and for failure to maintain lane. No inujries were reported.

I-40 is down to one lane in each direction from exit 447 in Tennessee to exit 7 in North Carolina because of the damage caused a year ago by Hurricane Helene.