Deadly Pedestrian Accident Shuts Down North Carolina Interstate

A deadly pedestrian accident shut down a portion of Interstate 85 south in Charlotte early Monday.

According to authorities, the accident occurred around 5 a.m. in the southbound lanes of I-85 near the Mecklenburg/Cabarrus county line.  One person was killed.

Predictably, the accident and resulting shutdown created miles of jammed-up traffic.  Throughout the crash investigation, southbound drivers were being diverted onto I-485.  By 8 a.m., traffic backed up to George Lyles Parkway in Concord.  Several minor accidents in the backups multiplied the delays.  Surrounding roads became saturated with traffic.  A separate fatal accident shut down Mallard Creek Church Road just a quarter-mile east of I-85.

All southbound lanes of Interstate 85 finally reopened around 8:15 a.m., more than three hours after the accident occurred.

Authorities are withholding the names of both victims pending notification of family members.