Details of a Tuesday afternoon wreck weren't clear, but the results were easy to see. A single wreck shuttered both the northbound lanes of Interstate 85 and Shelby Highway, which parallels Interstate 85 between the 95 and 96 mile markers. Traffic was backed up for miles. There was no immediate word on injuries at press time. A wreck ended up shutting down the northbound lanes of Interstate 85 and Shelby Highway for several hours on Tuesday afternoon, creating a mileslong back-up and a traffic nightmare.

While details of the wreck weren’t immediately available from the South Carolina Highway Patrol at press time, a pickup truck somehow struck a utility pole located between Shelby Highway and the northbound lanes of the Interstate. The damaged utility pole was leaning towards the Interstate and the drooping power lines fell close to the roadway, blocking traffic.

Northbound traffic on the Interstate ground to a halt and the back-up began immediately, while Shelby Highway was closed for the emergency workers.

Traffic around Interstate exits 92 and 95 also became congested, as drivers attempted to find ways around the impasse. Wilcox Avenue, one of the few direct ways around the traffic mess, became heavily congested as well.

Grassy Pond Volunteer Fire Department was on scene throughout the afternoon, as were officials of the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the South Carolina Department of Transportation, as well as utility workers.

Northbound traffic was allowed to resume about two hours after the wreck but the troublesome area didn’t get back to normal.

A second wreck occurred near the 96 mile marker at about 3:49 p.m. while a third wreck was reported near the 95 mile marker at about 4:30 p.m.