Woman airlifted, southbound lanes closed after I-85 wreck

Published 12:00 am Thursday, May 12, 2011

One woman has been airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, following an accident on I-85 near Exit 68 (for China Grove and N.C. 152).
According to a Salisbury Post reporter on the scene, the woman was heading towards the exit when she swerved back into the traffic lane and collided with a tractor-trailer.
The truck traveled another half mile down the road in what appeared to be an effort to avoid hitting other cars. It looks like the truck and trailer are separated.
The woman is from Rowan County and was talking when she was transported to the helicopter. She was driving a four-door white car, possibly a Buick. Emergency teams had to cut the roof from the car to get the woman out.
The Department of Transportation closed the southbound lanes of I-85.  As of 4:15 p.m. traffic was backed up about three miles out.
More details as they become available.