I-95 back open after crash causes major backups

SMITHFIELD, N.C. (WTVD) -- The northbound lanes of Interstate 95 are back open after a crash snarled traffic Wednesday afternoon.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, a tractor-trailer, transporting moving crates, was involved in the collision.

Traffic was backed up on the northbound side for miles.

Eyewitness' Joey Durham and Kathryn Giles told ABC11 the crash happened when a Jeep screeched to a halt to try and avoid a tire in the road. Then, they said that 18-wheeler slammed on its breaks to try and stop and an RV behind it couldn't and crashed into the 18-wheeler.

"It was horrific screeching and just metal on metal. If I had been any closer, we would've been part of it. It was scary," said Giles. "They actually hit the back end of the RV and the car trailer went completely airborne. They hit it with such a force that the back went up."

Two people were taken to a local hospital with injuries.

The Highway Patrol is still investigating the cause of the crash.