All lanes of I-26E reopen after tractor-trailer crash caused fuel leak

HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — All lanes of Interstate 26 near Hendersonville reopened Thursday night after an early-morning wreck caused a fuel leak and snarled traffic in the area much of the day.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol says troopers were dispatched at around 6:07 a.m. in reference to a tractor-trailer in the right lane that had side swiped another tractor-trailer in the left lane near the 48 mile marker on I-26. Officials say the driver of the tractor-trailer then overcorrected or oversteered and ran off the right shoulder and struck the concrete barrier end beside the roadway which pierced his gas tank.

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The fuel that leaked all over the roadway reportedly broke down the asphalt, making it soft. Crews had to bring in a milling machine, take a layer off, and resurface the road to make it safe for travel.

The incident closed the eastbound lanes for a time before one lane reopened. Traffic remained backed up for much of the day. As of 8:23 p.m., NCDOT says all lanes have reopened, and traffic is back to normal.

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No injuries have been reported due to the crash.

This is a developing story. Check back at WLOS.com for updates.