TRAFFIC UPDATE: Multiple crashes snarl metro Atlanta traffic amid rain

Multiple crashes have caused traffic headaches on interstates around metro Atlanta on Monday as rain showers trailed across the region.

Since 3:15 a.m., I-20’s eastbound traffic has been dragging through Douglas County. According to the Georgia State Patrol, a dump truck was traveling east with its bed raised and crashed into the South Baggett Road overpass near Villa Rica, causing the bed to break away from the cab.

The bed was blocking the middle lanes as a tractor-trailer approached, and “due to the heavy fog, misting rain and darkness,” the driver “did not see the dump bed propped up and blocking the lanes,” GSP officials said.

The semitruck driver tried to avoid the dump bed but still hit it, causing the truck to jackknife and burst into flames, GSP reported.

Both drivers sustained minor injuries, authorities said. The bridge needed inspecting.

Lanes reopened shortly before 8:30 a.m., but there are still delays as of 10:30 a.m. because of work by road crews.

Another collision involving a tractor-trailer and a van was reported around 7 a.m. on I-85 South in Gwinnett County near the Mall of Georgia. Around 80 gallons of diesel fuel were spilled in that incident.

Traffic volume was increasing, but the flow of vehicles was slowing down, and the semitruck driver lost control, causing it to jackknife, the GSP reported.

“The tractor-trailer struck the left guardrail and continued to travel forward, eventually striking a van and the right guardrail before coming to final rest broadside across three of the southbound lanes,” GSP officials said.

Tow trucks removed the tractor-trailer, and hazmat crews from the Gwinnett fire department helped to clean up the spilled diesel. Lanes reopened just before 9 a.m.