A chaotic Tuesday morning for Asheville commuters saw a series of rear-end collisions on Interstate 26, leading to significant delays and lane closures in both directions during peak rush hour.
Incident Details
According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the primary disruptions began shortly before 8:00 a.m. in the Fairview area of southern Buncombe County. The incidents were concentrated between Brevard Road (Exit 33) and Long Shoals Road (Exit 37).
Eastbound: Lanes were temporarily shuttered near mile marker 35, causing traffic to back up toward the I-40 interchange.
Westbound: One lane was closed near mile marker 35-37 following a separate collision. The left lane was obstructed briefly but successfully cleared by 8:45 a.m.
On-Ramps: The NC 146 East (Long Shoals Road) on-ramp also experienced heavy congestion as drivers attempted to merge into the existing backup.
Impact and Response
Authorities categorized the collisions as minor rear-end accidents, citing heavy rush-hour volume as the likely primary factor. While the wreckage caused major logistical headaches, officials confirmed there were no serious injuries reported at the scene.
DriveNC traffic cameras captured severe gridlock, with westbound congestion stretching back past Glenn Bridge Road. One lane reopened just before 8:00 a.m., according to the Department of Transportation, providing some relief, though rubbernecking and residual delays persisted throughout the morning.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate the specific causes of the chain-reaction events; no charges have been filed at this time, according to the Highway Patrol.
```