Beltway's Inner Loop reopens in Alexandria after crashes snarl traffic

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Commuters had to pack their patience along the Inner Loop of the Capital Beltway in northern Virginia on Monday after multiple crashes snarled traffic for miles.

All lanes of the Inner Loop were shut down before Van Dorn Street in Alexandria due to an investigation into two early-morning accidents, and the backup stretched nine miles at the height of the morning commute. All lanes have since reopened as of 9 a.m.

Some commuters were stuck for up to three hours as crews worked to reopen the roadway.

The first crash was reported just before 5 a.m. At least one person was taken to Fairfax Inova Hospital. There was a second crash on the Inner Loop involving a pedestrian who was struck and killed by a car.

There were also severe delays on the Outer Loop in the area, due to rubberneckers. Traffic on surrounding roadways was also extremely heavy as a result.