Raleigh Daily Local Brief: I-87 Ramp Crash, RDU Cancellations, Measles Lab Update

Top headlines

Tractor-trailer plunges off I-87 ramp onto I-440

A tractor-trailer went over the side of an Interstate 87 ramp above I-440 in Raleigh on Tuesday, Feb. 24, sending the truck down into a wooded area below. Police said the driver was taken to the hospital with what appeared to be life-threatening injuries.

The ramp closure caused significant disruption during the late-morning commute, with traffic rerouted until the ramp reopened. Investigators said speed may have been a factor as they continue to review what led to the crash.

RDU hit by ripple effects of Northeast blizzard

Travelers at Raleigh-Durham International Airport saw widespread cancellations and delays Monday, Feb. 23, as a major winter storm in the Northeast snarled air traffic nationwide. Airport-bound passengers were urged to check airline status before heading out, especially for flights connecting through affected hubs.

Even when skies are clear locally, disruptions can stack up quickly when aircraft and crews are out of position elsewhere, making day-of travel plans unusually unpredictable.

Raleigh state lab plays key role in measles response

Public health leaders are leaning heavily on the State Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh as measles cases and exposures continue to be tracked across North Carolina. The lab’s rapid testing and confirmation work is shaping how officials respond and how quickly potential exposures are communicated.

Health officials have emphasized that timing matters for people who may have been exposed and are unvaccinated, since some preventive steps depend on how soon care is sought.

City of Raleigh Museum plans animal adoption day

The city posted details for an upcoming Animal Adoption Day at the City of Raleigh Museum downtown, set for Saturday, March 7 (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.). The event is free, open to all ages, and designed for anyone looking to meet adoptable pets or simply stop by for some feel-good community time.