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Just one day after America was hit with two terror attacks, an alarming situation unfolded Thursday evening on a South Carolina interstate.
Around 4:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon, Interstate 85 was shut down in both directions and traffic was backed up for miles, when the driver of a semi truck told police he had a bomb on board his truck.
Police reportedly made a routine traffic stop around 3:30 p.m. The driver spouted off that he had a bomb, so they shut the whole interstate down. Later, the driver allegedly claimed he was just joking, according to social media reports.
The driver has now reportedly been arrested.
The SCDOT originally reported the incident as a hazardous materials spill, then later called it a crash. Apparently, it was neither.
X user ‘Dapper Detective,’ who is a violent crimes detective, posted a video on social media and announced:
BREAKING: Police have shutdown I-85 in Greenville County, South Carolina due to a bomb threat involving this 18-wheeler.
UPDATE: The truck driver has been taken into custody and transferred to a secure location away from the vehicle, reportedly telling law enforcement that he was “joking” about having a bomb.
The driver is now under arrest.
🚨UPDATE: The truck driver has been taken into custody and transferred to a secure location away from the vehicle, reportedly telling law enforcement that he was “joking” about having a bomb.
The driver is now under arrest.
— Dapper Detective (@Dapper_Det) January 2, 2025
When the incident first began to unfold, Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway posted the following message on X:
“I-85 NB and SB in Greenville is closed near MM 44 due to an incident. Both sides of the I-85 are closed until further notice. Detours are posted, but the public is urged to avoid I-85 in this area until further notice. Details will be provided as more information is confirmed.”
I-85 NB and SB in Greenville is closed near MM 44 due to an incident. Both sides of the I-85 are closed until further notice. Detours are posted, but the public is urged to avoid I-85 in this area until further notice. Details will be provided as more information is confirmed
— Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway (@SCHP_Troop_3) January 2, 2025
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced: “I-85 near mile marker 44 is temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution due to a bomb threat issued during a routine traffic stop this afternoon by SSCT Transport Police. SCDOT and state law enforcement are on the scene, and normal I-85 traffic will resume once the tractor trailer is swept and cleared by SLED’s bomb squad.”
— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) January 2, 2025
Journalist Cody Alcorn also provided updates on the ordeal:
Situation unfolding in Greenville Co South Carolina that’s closed I-85 | Sources tell me it involves an 18-wheeler. Driver apparently pulled over and stated he has a bomb. Multiple agency incident. Update as I get additional details.
UPDATE | This is near Whitehorse Road.
— Cody Alcorn (@CodyAlcorn) January 2, 2025
UPDATE | Exits are blocked and traffic is backed up for miles.
UPDATE | Sources are telling me State Transport Police pulled over the 18-wheeler. That’s when he stated he had a bomb.
UPDATE | Sources are telling me State Transport Police pulled over the 18-wheeler. That’s when he stated he had a bomb.
— Cody Alcorn (@CodyAlcorn) January 2, 2025
UPDATE | Interstate remains closed. Again, multiple agencies involved. This started as traffic stop. Now, turned into a bomb threat after driver told STP he had a bomb.
UPDATE | Interstate remains closed. Again, multiple agencies involved. This started as traffic stop. Now, turned into a bomb threat after driver told STP he had a bomb. pic.twitter.com/k7ljBXqnZt
— Cody Alcorn (@CodyAlcorn) January 2, 2025
South Carolina Governor making statement on I-85 situation in Greenville County. Sources tell me state transport patrol pulled over driver of 18-wheeler. Driver indicated he had a bomb. Multiple agencies working to investigate the validity of the threat.
South Carolina Governor making statement on I-85 situation in Greenville County. Sources tell me state transport patrol pulled over driver of 18-wheeler. Driver indicated he had a bomb. Multiple agencies working to investigate the validity of the threat. https://t.co/Hmz9YoTvgn
— Cody Alcorn (@CodyAlcorn) January 2, 2025
The South Carolina Dept. of Transportation announced at 6:30 pm ET that they were waiving all toll fees to help get traffic moving again.
Drivers – avoid the area if you can, significant delays continue near this area of the interstate while law enforcement works to safely respond to the active incident. (2/2)
— SCDOT (@SCDOTPress) January 2, 2025
Trooper Ridgeway later announced, “I-85 has been reopened. Additional updates will be coming from SCDPS regarding today’s incident and subsequent arrest of the driver.”
I-85 has been reopened. Additional updates will be coming from SCDPS regarding today’s incident and subsequent arrest of the driver.
— Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway (@SCHP_Troop_3) January 3, 2025
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety then provided an update:
On January 2, 2025, at approximately 2:45 p.m., a SC State Transport Police officer initiated a traffic stop on a tractor-trailer on Interstate 85 in Greenville County, due to a missing license plate on the trailer.
During the traffic stop near mile-marker 44, the driver, a man from Illinois, indicated that there was an explosive device inside the commercial vehicle. All six lanes of I-85 were subsequently shut down as the threat was investigated by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, SLED, and the FBI.
No explosive devices were located and all lanes of I-85 were reopened at approximately 7:40 p.m. The driver was taken into custody without incident. Additional details, including the driver’s name and his pending charges, will be released Friday.
On January 2, 2025, at approximately 2:45 p.m., a SC State Transport Police officer initiated a traffic stop on a tractor-trailer on Interstate 85 in Greenville County, due to a missing license plate on the trailer. During the traffic stop near mile-marker 44, the driver, a man…
— SCDPS (@theSCDPS) January 3, 2025
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