I-85 reopens more than 12 hours after tractor trailer driver killed in crash in Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- A deadly crash involving a tractor-trailer closed a portion of Interstate 85 in Orange County for much of the day.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol said a driver of a truck carrying chickens died in the crash that took place around 3 a.m. near the NC 86 bridge.

The vehicle overturned and caught fire, damaging the bridge, and forcing officials to close the road.

The southbound lanes of I-85 reopened just before 3:30 p.m.

Starting Thursday, and continuing sporadically during the next week, the right lane of I-85 South will be closed to allow N.C. Department of Transportation engineers to repair damaged sections of the N.C. 86 overpass.

The N.C. 86 bridge over the interstate will remain closed to traffic so NCDOT can continue to examine the crash's impacts to the structure.

Drivers along N.C. 86 are advised to take U.S. Business 70, Lawrence Road and Old N.C. 10 to travel around the closed area.