GAFFNEY, S.C. (WACH, WHNS, AP) -- Transportation officials say the northbound lanes of Interstate 85 near the South Carolina-North Carolina state line could be closed for several days while they repair a bridge damaged in a fatal tractor-trailer crash.
Two people in a rig died early Sunday when the truck crashed into the bridge on state Highway 150 near Gaffney.
"The driver was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected coming to rest on the right shoulder of the roadway. Once the massive fire was brought under control, a second victim was discovered in the sleeper section of the truck. Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. I am currently working to identify both and make notification to next of kin," Coroner Dennis Fowler said.
The impact from the collision severely damaged at least one of the three support columns, which delayed the recovery effort until South Carolina Department of Transportation engineers could determine it was safe, according to Fowler.
Fowler, along with the South Carolina Highway Patrol and SCDOT officials, were continuing to investigate the crash.
Transportation Department spokesman Greg McCarter says the repairs on I-85 are expected to be completed before the Memorial Day weekend.
Fowler says there was no indication the truck braked before hitting the bridge support.
(WHNS, FoxCarolina.com and the Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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