Staff report

SALISBURY — One person was reported killed in a multiple-vehicle accident on Interstate 85 Saturday afternoon, about a mile south of the East Spencer exit.

At least three SUVs were heavily damaged in the accident. No identity has been released on the fatality, but that person reportedly was changing a tire on the left side of the highway.

Five others were reported injured.

The accident happened close to 3 p.m. and fully blocked southbound traffic on Interstate 85 for more than an hour.

Immediately after the crash, emergency personnel called for two medical helicopters, but poor weather did not allow them to respond.

The cars involved were a black Suburban, gray Suburban and a red Jeep Cherokee.

Reports said the black and gray SUVs were parked on the left side of I-85 South where a tire was being changed on one of the vehicles.

Preliminary reports added the southbound Jeep hit the black Suburban, then the gray Suburban, which was a little farther ahead before coming to rest in the road.

Miller’s Ferry Fire Department set up a command at the scene, aided by the Rowan Rescue Squad, Rowan Emergency Medical Services, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Salisbury Fire and the State Highway Patrol.

The highway patrol is investigating.

Interstate 85 is four lanes wide in this particular area, which is between East Spencer and Salisbury close to mile marker 78.

Traffic also slowed considerably in the northbound lanes of I-85 during the cleanup.