The wreck happened around 2:45 a.m. just beyond Exit 23, according to Gastonia police. Gaston County paramedics said one person died and another was taken to a hospital; the injured person was expected to survive.

The closure lasted several hours and brought a large emergency response to the area. Police warned that traffic would worsen during the Monday morning commute, describing rush hour as likely to be “messy.”

Images from the scene showed a truck with heavy damage and apparent fire damage. A boom truck was used to help clear the wreckage, and a few law-enforcement vehicles remained near the exit ramps after the lanes reopened.

Officials had not released information about what caused the crash.