One Killed, Another Airlifted In Serious Crash That Shut Down I-485 In North Charlotte

UPDATE:

The Outer loop of I-485 re-opened at 5:35pm Friday evening.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – One person died, another was airlifted and four others received treatment from the serious vehicle crash on I-485 near Mallard Creek Road.

The accident happened around 7:30 a.m. on I-485 Inner near mile marker 27.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said the initial crash involved a tractor trailer and another vehicle, causing the tractor trailer to go through the median cables and into oncoming traffic on I-485 Outer.

The Highway Patrol said the tractor trailer then collided head-on with another tractor trailer. Another vehicle traveling on I-485 Outer then collided with one of the tractor trailers.

The driver of the first tractor trailer, later identified as Darrell Buelin, died at the scene. The other tractor-trailer driver was airlifted and remains in critical condition at this time.

All the other drivers sustained minor injuries in the crash.

Overall, the crash involved two tractor trailers and three other vehicles. There was reportedly a fire and possibly a fuel spill.

The crash closed all lanes on the I-485 Inner near Exit 26 at Benfield Road and all lanes on the outerloop near Exit 28 at Mallard Creek Road.

Neither speed nor alcohol are believed to be factors in the collision at this time, troopers said. However, the Highway Patrol said charges are pending and will be made once they determined a contributing circumstance.

The outer loop of I-485 will be closed until approximately 4:30 p.m., as maintenance crews are still cleaning up the wreckage.