Crash Knocks Out Traffic Lights, Snarls Downtown Traffic
SMITHFIELD — A tractor-trailer crash brought traffic to a crawl in downtown Smithfield on Wednesday afternoon after the truck struck a utility pole and sent traffic lights crashing down at a busy intersection.
The wreck occurred at Market and Second streets, forcing police to shut down westbound lanes of Market Street and reroute drivers for several hours.
North Carolina Department of Transportation crews were called in to repair the damaged pole and signals, while Smithfield police directed traffic and managed detours.
Police Chief Pete Hedrick said the driver was cited for an unsafe movement violation.
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Time for a truck route
Definitely agree, I’ve tractor trailers down that way, only a button hook which is illegal is the only way to make that turn. Plus road isn’t big enough for big vehicles
There’s already a truck route. Durwood Stephenson parkway. The tiwn just refuses to make it no trucks downtown rule. Easy fix. Instead they want to kill all business by doing away with parking.
Dang those Cracker Jack box CDLs …. SMH
Absolutely ZERO reason to be on that route period ….
If the driver was cited for an unsafe movement violation, it’s because trucks SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ON MARKET STREET!! Instead, now parking is prohibited on Market St. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the township is trying to destroy what’s left of downtown Smithfield. Such a shame, there’s so much potential here! Downtown Smithfield should focus on local businesses and it’s residents. What good is citing the the driver with a moving violation, if he can come back tomorrow and drive thru again with that massive truck? Trucks don’t belong on Market Street!!!! Give downtown Smithfield back to the people!!
I guess since we can’t park on the side of the street any longer. We’ll just park in the middle of it.
😂 Bill you made me laugh for about 10 minutes thank you so much
It’s just Smithfield no one really cares
This is just absolutely unbelievable!
Was the driver charged? Sorta curious about his name, CDL origin and status, legal status, etc.
Fortunately NC Amazon CDL drivers are required to legally work as well as certified, if they aren’t, they are fired on the spot. As well as having to be 21+ and be a certified CDL driver. Though I do agree with all CDL drivers having the approved certification and legally able to work, NC is having a big problem because they allowed people with terminated permissions to work illegally instead of firing them as well as CDL drivers without certifications to continue working as well. If you’re on the highways or near exits you may often see CDL trucks being pulled over as now as they need to correct people and companies without the proper paperwork and certifications to work. The person who drove this CDL truck was definitely just a dumb*** trying to fit where they can’t.
Most CDLs are given to illegal aliens, why would they care about what happens in our small towns?
The only way you can get a CDL license/certification in the state of North Carolina is if you’re a resident or legally able to work in the US, as well as a permission to work in the US. When Trump revoked work permits for aliens it also voided their CDL license. Along with that companies refused to fire people without permissions to work legally and people without a CDL license due to drop of employees and available drivers. It was easier for companies to sweep it under the rug and save money than to lose workers they already had. I will say I have worked for Amazon before, their policies are strict for workers and workers applying for CDL. They immediately fire anyone without a legal permission to work as well as anyone without a CDL license and certificate. They make you do an Amazon program and training to get approved to work their CDL trucks, they don’t take anyone younger than 21 to work CDL trucks as well. Only Amazon CDL employees can pick up and drop off trailers for the Amazon warehouses. But you should look into the problem with CDL drivers in the state of North Carolina. This guy was just a dumba** taking a turn off of Market St. rather than going straight through. Which not a single semi should be turning inside of Market st. before S. Brightleaf Blvd. So again this guy was definitely a dumb***.
Did you read the article? Its mentioned!
Exactly if the town just made it no truck downtown there would’ve been no problem. This is a town problem, not a tractor trailer problem.
Evidence of DOT’s intelligence in eliminating parking in downtown Smithfield when the proper course of access was to ban through access to trucks. Get busy mayor and manager!
Clayton has the same problem. 18 wheelers and the like traveling through downtown can not make the turns and lock traffic up. These downtown streets were developed long before 18 wheelers used them but in the name of “growth” they have overburdened the streets with traffic. So that street light, utility pole will now need to be replaced as well as a crew of 5 or so to repair and traffic will need to be inconvenienced again so they can fix it. All of this will be paid for by taxes. Growth……ain’t it great?
No flip flops were harmed in the accident.