Henderson County, NC (March 17, 2024) – A multi-vehicle crash involving 16 cars occurred on Interstate 26 East after a North Carolina Highway Patrol truck lost construction cones, leading to a chain-reaction collision. The accident took place near Exit 49 at around 5:30 a.m.
Incident Details: According to North Carolina Highway Patrol, a trooper transporting construction cones in a patrol truck lost part of his load on the highway. The fallen cones caused multiple vehicles to crash as drivers attempted to avoid the debris. Fortunately, no life-threatening injuries were reported, but multiple people sustained minor injuries. Authorities closed several lanes of I-26 East for hours while crews cleared the wreckage. Officials are still investigating whether speed or following distance contributed to the severity of the pileup.
Investigation and Legal Considerations: Multi-vehicle accidents present complex liability issues, especially when roadway hazards contribute to the crash. Investigators will likely assess whether the patrol truck was properly secured and if negligence played a role in the cones falling onto the roadway. Additionally, they may evaluate whether drivers maintained a safe following distance or if excessive speed contributed to the collisions. Victims of chain-reaction crashes may have claims for damages, but determining who is responsible in a multi-car accident depends on the specific circumstances of the incident.
My thoughts are with those affected by this frightening accident.