More than 100 cars involved in wreck on I-40; 20 injured

BURLINGTON, N.C. — Authorities say scores of vehicles were involved in a series of wrecks that injured 20 people and shut down part of Interstate 40 in central North Carolina for hours.

North Carolina Highway Patrol Sgt. Danny Jenkins said approximately 134 vehicles were involved in the crashes Sunday evening in Alamance County.

Pack says there were 20 minor injuries but no fatalities. He says it's not clear what caused the first pileup.

The first crash happened around 6 p.m. during strong storms and troopers said rubberneckers contributed to the others.

One woman who narrowly avoided a crash explained what happened.

“Basically the sun was shining on the road and there was a light rain and it was so bright on the road, there was a glare and everybody had to come to a halt,” she said.

Drivers said they saw so many tow trucks they lost count.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation reported around 8:45 p.m. that I-40 West/I-85 South was closed at an exit near Burlington. It reopened around 11:15 p.m.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Hundreds gather hours ahead of Trump rally at Lenoir-Rhyne University
• Troopers: 16-year-old killed, 12-year-old hurt in Watauga Co. crash
• Judge throws out prison sentence after Charlotte attorney slept during trial
• CMPD: 1 hospitalized after shooting at north Charlotte shopping plaza
• Troopers: More than 100 cars involved in wreck on I-40; 20 injured

Cox Media Group