Bus carrying student-athletes causes several crashes on I-85 South in Cabarrus County

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — A tour bus caused multiple crashes on Interstate 85 Friday afternoon, shutting the interstate down in Cabarrus County.

Barton College officials confirmed on Saturday that the bus was carrying their cross-country team.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom flew over the interstate around 2 p.m. and could see all southbound lanes of traffic were blocked near Lane Street.

Several cars, a van, and a charter bus were seriously damaged. One car was so destroyed that its roof was no longer attached to it.

Channel 9′s Glenn Counts learned four people total were taken to the hospital. Troopers did not have information about the severity of the injuries to the victims.

Officials with Barton College confirmed one student-athlete was hospitalized as a precaution and is in the care of her parents.

Barton College’s Cross Country Team was traveling to the Conference Carolinas Championship in Charlotte when the accident happened. Officials told us they stayed in Charlotte overnight and returned to campus in Wilson, North Carolina, on Saturday.

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According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the bus was speeding and hit multiple cars.

The interstate reopened just before 4 p.m. Friday.

Charges against the tour bus driver are pending, highway patrol said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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