Drivers are facing major disruption as a crash closed part of the A19.
Northumbria Police was called to the A19 northbound carriageway, at Seaton near the turn-off for Sunderland at about 23:00 GMT on Monday.
The force said a section of the carriageway had been closed between the junctions for the B1404, close to Seaham, and the A690 Herrington Interchange.
Motorists have faced lengthy delays, with National Highways saying investigations and work to clear up the scene was ongoing with diversions in place.
