DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. -- A horse caused multiple crashes that closed Interstate 85 south for more than eight hours early Saturday morning in Dinwiddie County.
The incident impacted northbound and southbound I-85 near McKenney around 3:30 a.m., officials with Virginia State Police said.
A tractor-trailer headed north on the interstate "grazed a horse" before the semi pulled onto the interstate's right shoulder.
Then a second tractor-trailer headed north in the interstate's left lane hit the animal, officials said.
"The second tractor-trailer then went off the interstate to the left, struck several trees, crossed the southbound lanes of Interstate 85 before hitting the guard rail and additional trees," troopers said.
Two other vehicles also hit the horse, which did not survive, according to troopers.
There was no word as to how the horse ended up on the interstate.
No other injuries were reported.
The wrecks closed the interstate's southbound lanes and traffic was diverted at the Dewitt exit.
"All southbound travel lanes remain closed as clean-up continues at the scene," officials said in an 8:30 a.m. update.
All lanes of the interstate had opened and the scene was clear as of 11:50 a.m.
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