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SALUDA—On Monday, March 17, a significant accident occurred on I-26 East, involving over a dozen vehicles and a tractor-trailer.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, at approximately 7:45 a.m., a tractor-trailer traveling east near mile marker 55 lost its load of construction cones. This led to a total of 16 vehicles colliding with each other.

Three individuals were taken to local hospitals with injuries.

The NCDOT reported the accident was near Ozone Drive, shutting down Interstate 26 East four miles before Exit 59. The accident caused a major backup for morning commuters, with traffic diverted to US 25 and Hwy. 176 through downtown Saluda.

Officials anticipated the lanes would reopen at 10:30 a.m.