Vehicles damaged after big rig loses axle on I-77 in north Charlotte

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Troopers had to close several lanes of Interstate 77 early Thursday morning in north Charlotte after they said a tractor-trailer lost its axle after striking a concrete barrier, scattering debris across the roadway.

Officials said the incident happened around 6 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-77, near the Cindy Lane Bridge between Interstate 85 and Sunset Road.

Three drivers hit it, damaging their vehicles, and paramedics took two of them to the hospital with minor injuries.

Troopers said that when the big rig hit the barrier wall, its trailer axle was ripped away, coming to a rest in the middle of the interstate.

[PHOTOS: Big rig scatters debris across I-77]

Only one northbound lane of I-77 was open as troopers investigated and crews worked to clean up the debris.

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