GREENSBORO, N.C. — All lanes have reopened after a tractor-trailer overturned Thursday afternoon on eastbound I-40 leaving traffic backed up for nearly 8 miles.
Authorities said the crash happened around 11:22 a.m. as Gregory Genett Owen, 48, of High Point, was trying to enter the eastbound lane of I-40 from the ramp at NC Route 68.
Owen lost control of his vehicle which traveled into the path of an on-coming tractor-trailer, officials said. The trailer overturned on I-40 eastbound, at the bridge over NC Route 68.
The driver of the tractor-trailer received minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. Owen was uninjured.
Owens has been charged with exceeding safe speed for road conditions.
The collision closed the ramp at NC Route 68 at the entrance to I-40 eastbound. Three of the four lanes of I-40 eastbound were closed while crews worked to remove the tractor-trailer and its load.
Tow trucks had to reposition the semi-truck, which was carrying cigarettes. The damage caused to the truck required its contents to be off loaded by hand.
Police and representatives from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration investigated the collision.
