Dozens injured, 20 vehicles involved in crash after tractor trailer lost load on I-270 in Germantown

GERMANTOWN, Md. - Dozens were injured after a tractor trailer carrying slate lost its load in a crash on Interstate 270 early Monday in Montgomery County causing a multi-vehicle collision involving at least 20 vehicles.

The crash was reported in the southbound lanes of Interstate 270 just after Middlebrook Road near Germantown around 5 a.m.

All lanes of Interstate 270 were closed beginning around 5:30 a.m. Traffic was being detoured onto Route 355. Some lanes re-opened to traffic around 8 a.m.

Preliminarily it is believed that the load of slate fell from the tractor trailer and shattered, pelting vehicles with stones, gravel and other debris.The accident is still under investigation at this time.

Two-dozen patients were evaluated for injuries. No serious injuries were believed to have been sustained.