When a big cardboard box flew out of a Morganton man's truck and landed in the westbound lane of Interstate 40, it resulted in a multi-vehicle accident that snarled traffic for about two hours and sent four people to the hospital.
Trooper R.G. Griffin of the Highway Patrol said Danny Velez, 58, of Morganton, was headed west at about 12:50 p.m. Wednesday when a 5-foot long triangular cardboard box flew out of his 1990 Chevy pickup truck.
Velez turned his truck around in the median and went back to fetch the box. When he saw it, he stopped and sent his 28-year-old passenger to retrieve it, Griffin said.
Three cars stopped in the left lane when they saw what was happening, and a semi truck stopped in the right lane.
Betty Billington, 71, of Statesville, was at the wheel of a 2007 Chevy minivan when she approached the vehicles stopped on the interstate.
Unable to stop in time, she sideswiped a vehicle in the left lane, crossed into the other lane and struck the semi in the rear.
Billington and her husband, John, were transported to Frye Regional Medical Center, as were the occupants of the vehicle Billington struck, Narlene Johnson and her 13-year-old daughter, Jana.
All four were treated and released Wednesday.
One westbound lane was re-opened at 1:50 p.m. and the other lane opened about 30 minutes later, Griffin said.
Billington was cited for failure to reduce speed. Velez was cited for failure to secure his load.
Griffin said he does not know what was in the cardboard box.
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