All lanes of the Capital Beltway are open again after a crash involving a tractor trailer and other several vehicles in Montgomery County on Monday afternoon, but traffic remained backed up for miles as of 5:30 p.m.
The crash occurred on the Inner Loop of I-495 eastbound, past MD-193 (Exit 29) and may have involved up to a dozen vehicles, Montgomery County Fire & Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer said. He said it appeared that the tractor trailer had a mechanical mishap resulting in a fuel spill, causing multiple vehicles to crash.
About 20 patients were evaluated by first responders.
Three out of four lanes on the Inner Loop were blocked immediately after the crash. As of 3:30 p.m., traffic was getting by on the two left lanes, with the other two lanes still shut down. All lanes have since reopened.
Traffic was backed up about six miles as of 3:30 p.m., Piringer said.
There was a significant fuel spill around the crash site, resulting in hazardous road conditions for about 800 feet, Piringer said. A hazmat crew was called to the scene to assist.
