YORK COUNTY, S.C. — A large portion of Interstate 77 in York County was closed for several hours early Wednesday after a highway worker was hit and killed by a truck after they stopped to pick up trash, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The deadly wreck happened around 1:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-77 near Carowinds Boulevard.
#BREAKING: This is a fatal crash that happened around 1:30 this morning. It appears traffic is being diverted off I-77 NB at Gold Hill Rd. #FtMill #clt #cltraffic #clttraffic https://t.co/bF1oMUAnhS
— Traffic Team 9 (@TrafficTeam9) July 7, 2021
Channel 9 crews could see several vehicles involved in the crash, including what appeared to be a box truck. All northbound lanes were closed for more than six hours but reopened just before 8 a.m.
Troopers said the worker stopped the trash truck in the left lane of northbound I-77 and had gotten out to pick up trash and debris when the box truck collided with the trash truck and then the worker.
The worker died at the scene. Their name has not been released.
York County, I-77 North bound is blocked due to a Fatal collision near the 89 mile marker. Detour is “exit 88 to US 21 then back to I-77”. Use caution and avoid the area if possible! pic.twitter.com/aOp3she5GL
— Trooper Gary SCHP (@SCHP_Troop4) July 7, 2021
Troopers said a passenger in the trash truck was not hurt in the crash. It was not clear if any charges would be filed.
Traffic, which was backed up for miles, had to be diverted off I-77 northbound at Gold Hill Road.
A separate crash was blocking the northbound ramp from Cherry and Celanese but that ramp reopened around 8 a.m. as well.
There are multiple accidents NB on I-77 in York County this morning. That includes a fatal accident overnight at Carowinds Blvd. NB ramp from Cherry/Celanese is closed. Avoid I-77 if possible. pic.twitter.com/K5qJVLZrUU
— Greg Suskin (@GSuskinWSOC9) July 7, 2021
Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.
(WATCH BELOW: ‘Determined not to fail’: I-77 bridge project finishes days ahead of schedule)
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