Motorists traveling on Interstate 295 faced significant disruptions Friday after separate crashes in Washington, D.C., and North Attleborough, Massachusetts, led to lane closures, injuries and lengthy traffic backups.
In Washington, D.C., a vehicle overturned on northbound I-295 shortly before 8 a.m. near Exit 4. Police reported that at least one person was injured as emergency crews responded to the scene.
Authorities temporarily closed all northbound lanes between Maryland Route 495 and Chesapeake Street, Southwest, while police, firefighters and medical personnel worked at the crash site. Later reports indicated that a juvenile suffered serious injuries and was transported from the scene by medical helicopter.
The northbound lanes were reopened at approximately 1 p.m., but the earlier closure resulted in substantial backups stretching toward the Maryland state line. Drivers faced extended travel times as crews cleared the wreckage and investigators worked at the scene.
A separate crash was reported Friday on I-295 in North Attleborough, Massachusetts. A tractor-trailer carrying sand overturned onto its side on northbound I-295 near I-95. A second tractor-trailer and an SUV were also involved in the collision.
Two people were taken to a hospital following the Massachusetts crash. Authorities had not immediately released complete information about their conditions or identified the circumstances that caused the collision.
Because I-295 runs through multiple states and metropolitan areas, reports of crashes on the interstate can refer to locations hundreds of miles apart. Motorists should confirm the location of an incident before changing their travel plans or selecting an alternate route.
Drivers approaching an active crash scene are urged to slow down, remain alert and follow instructions from police and highway crews. Traffic patterns can change quickly as emergency responders clear damaged vehicles, investigate collisions and reopen lanes.
Authorities have not released complete details about the causes of all the incidents reported Friday, and investigations remain ongoing.
Motorists planning to travel along I-295 should check current official traffic information before leaving and allow additional time for potential delays. Even after lanes reopen, congestion can continue for hours as traffic gradually returns to normal.
The separate crashes highlight how quickly incidents on major interstate routes can create widespread disruptions, leaving commuters and long-distance travelers facing significant delays while emergency crews work to restore normal traffic conditions.
