I-540 reopens after truck crashes off Wake County bridge near northeast Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) -- One direction of a Wake County interstate was closed for hours Saturday after a driver crashed a truck down an embankment between two Interstate 540 bridges, with the truck overturning and smashing below the structure northeast of Raleigh, officials said. The crash was reported just before 9:45 a.m. along I-540 eastbound between two bridges spanning the Neuse River just east of U.S. 401, according to Wake County authorities. A vehicle crashed down an embankment between the two I-540 bridges, according to fire officials. Images later showed a pickup truck crashed on its roof on the ground near the river beneath the bridges. Around 2:15 p.m., crews pulled the mangling pickup truck from under the bridge back onto I-540 and took it from the scene around 2:40 p.m. Around 10:45 a.m., the highway was closed for a short time in both directions, but eastbound lanes were later closed for hours. One I-540 westbound lane was closed past Exit 20, the North Carolina Department of Transportation said. Knightdale Fire Department and New Hope Fire Department were dispatched to the scene. Rescue crews focused on an area below the gap between the two I-540 bridges over the Neuse River and greenway. At least three ambulances were at the scene. There was no word about any injuries. Crews later gathered around the crashed vehicle under the bridge area and took at least one truck occupant from the scene. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol will be investigating the crash, Wake County officials said.