Dual crashes shut down I-285 South in Cobb for hours during morning commute

A series of wrecks on the northwest Perimeter early Tuesday doomed the morning commute as all I-285 South lanes were shut down for hours.

The first crash was reported shortly after 4 a.m. at South Atlanta Road. The second, which involved multiple tractor-trailers, happened as outer loop traffic backed up to Paces Ferry Road, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

All southbound lanes were shut down between the two wrecks for hours and Cobb County drivers were urged to avoid the area.

Authorities were investigating a crash on I-285 at South Atlanta Road when multiple vehicles crashed in the backups at Paces Ferry Road.

The crash at South Atlanta Road cleared by 6:45 a.m., but lanes did not begin reopening at Paces Ferry Road until 7:30 a.m. Extreme delays remained throughout the morning.

No details about either wreck have been released.