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Heavy rains, multiple accidents result in heavy traffic delays Thursday

POLK COUNTY–A trailer detached from a semi-truck and overturned on I-26 West Thursday afternoon, impacting traffic along the interstate and throughout much of Columbus. 

The accident occurred near mile-marker 63 when the trailer detached from the truck and flipped on its side. Columbus Fire Department was dispatched and arrived on the scene at 2:18 p.m, with around 10 officials from multiple agencies working the incident. No injuries were reported and no other vehicles were damaged as a result of the accident.

The tractor-trailer was hauling heavy-duty axles according to Mckenzie of Jackson Wrecker Service, who later uprighted the trailer. “The driver of the tractor-trailer said that he had to apply brakes real hard, and the trailer just detached from the truck,” says Mckenzie.

Both westbound lanes were closed while the tractor-trailer was uprighted. One lane of traffic was re-opened at 3:40 p.m.

Heavy rain added to the traffic issues on Thursday, as vehicles were backed up for miles on I-26, at one point stretching from the scene of the accident all the way to the Landrum exit. Drivers were forced to divert off of the interstate and onto Mills St. and Lynn Rd. in Columbus, increasing traffic in that part of town for much of the day.

When asked how accidents like this could be prevented in the future, Captain Dylan Priester with the Columbus Fire Department said drivers need to pay attention to the weather.

“Slow down, and be aware of tractor-trailer’s blindspots,” says Priester. “All vehicles need to share the road.”

According to Priester, there were at least four separate motor vehicle accidents on I-26 during the day.