An 18-wheeler overturned in Wilkes county last night, blocking traffic on highway 421 for hours. Wilkes County rescue personnel still aren’t sure what caused the 18-wheeler to flip, about 5pm yesterday. The driver was airlifted to Charlotte Regional Medical Center with a potential head injury. His current condition is not available.
The truck was carrying hazardous chemicals, which spilled onto the highway, forcing the closure of 421. While authorities were able to open up southbound lanes, northbound lanes did not reopen until after 11 p.m. A wrecker will be moving the 18-wheeler off the roadway this morning. Emergency management personnel cleared the scene before midnight, but a hazardous materials squad was on scene cleaning up the roadways several hours longer.

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