All lanes of the I-85 were closed for hours as authorities investigated the incident involving five different crashes, soldiers said. [ ALSO READ: Man dies after being hit by car on I-85, troopers say ] The road closed near Sugar Creek Road shortly after 4 a.m., near exit 4. The north-facing lanes reopened around 7 a.m. and the south-facing lanes reopened at 8 a.m. The soldiers said the series of accidents began when a Mercury passenger car veered off the left side of the I-85 heading south and struck in the middle before reaching a lane of the highway. The man got out of his car with no lights on and hit the road, the soldiers said. His body ended up in the northern lanes of the interstate, as a result of which it was completely closed. [ READ ALSO: Police searching for vehicle in connection with fatal shooting on I-85 in Gaston County ] Two cars that had stopped after the collision were hit by drivers trying to avoid the wreck. Soldiers said they were investigating the incident as five separate clashes and a pedestrian were killed. One person was taken to hospital with minor injuries, authorities said. The darkness in the area is said to have been a factor. The soldiers said the search was ongoing. Check again wsoctv.com for updates. (SEE BELOW: DOCTOR: 1 dead, 1 seriously injured in I-85 crash in northern Charlotte) © 2022 Cox Media Group
