Some lanes of southbound I-85 reopen after crash kills 2 near Concord, NCDOT says

Two people were killed and two others were injured early Friday in crash that forced the N.C. Department of Transportation to close southbound Interstate 85 near Concord during rush hour.

As of 10 a.m Friday, only the left lane remained closed, state officials said in an update.

The crash happened around 4 a.m., just north of Exit 49 for Concord Mills Boulevard.

Southbound lanes were was closed at Exit 52 (Poplar Tent Road), and traffic was diverted for about five hours, according to a release.

Identities of the motorists who died have not been released.

The left lane could remain closed until late afternoon Friday, officials said.

To avoid the backups: Motorists use Exit 52, Left to Poplar Tent Road, Right to George W. Liles Parkway, Right to US 29 South, Right to I-485 Outer to Exit 30 to I-85, the NCDOT says.

This is a developing story.

This story was originally published March 6, 2026 at 6:44 AM.