News Summary
A truck driver was arrested after claiming there was a bomb inside his vehicle on Interstate 85, prompting a four-hour closure that caused extensive traffic delays. Authorities responded swiftly, shutting down all lanes and investigating the threat. No explosives were found, and the incident ended without injuries. The driver now faces multiple charges, including conveying false information about a bomb threat. This event highlights the seriousness of bomb threats and the importance of rapid law enforcement response.
South Carolina authorities detained a truck driver on January 2, 2025, after he claimed that a bomb was inside his tractor-trailer on Interstate 85, prompting a four-hour closure that significantly disrupted traffic. The driver, 28-year-old Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi from Oak Lawn, Illinois, was arrested during a traffic stop initially initiated for a missing license plate on the vehicle.
At around 2:45 p.m., a South Carolina State Transport Police officer pulled over Alhendi’s vehicle near mile marker 44. During the encounter, he expressed that there was an explosive device present in the truck, leading to an immediate response from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the FBI.
Authorities quickly shut down all six lanes of I-85, resulting in heavy traffic congestion that lasted for over four hours. To assist with the situation, traffic detours were put in place, and tolls on I-185 were temporarily lifted to help redirect drivers and alleviate the bottleneck created by the interstate closure.
Approximately four hours later, around 6 p.m., South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster confirmed that the closure was indeed due to a bomb threat and commended law enforcement for their rapid response and safety measures. The South Carolina Department of Transportation initially reported the incident as a hazardous materials spill, which was later clarified to be the result of the bomb threat.
By 7:30 p.m., the bomb squad declared the area safe, and I-85 reopened to traffic shortly after at around 7:40 p.m. The investigation found no explosives within the truck, and Alhendi was taken into custody without incident. He now faces several charges, including breach of peace of high and aggravated nature, failure to have a vehicle license, and conveying false information about a bomb threat. His bond has been set at $20,238.
Alhendi, a Jordanian national, entered the United States legally on September 20, 2018, and is reportedly under ongoing removal proceedings. The trucking company that owns the vehicle, Globe Transportation, issued a statement verifying that all regulatory standards were met and confirmed that Alhendi possesses a valid Commercial Driver’s License.
During the incident, local authorities also turned off street lights in the nearby area for an unspecified reason, adding to the confusion at the scene. Fortunately, the situation concluded without injury or damage, although it caused significant delays for drivers traveling on one of the state’s primary interstate highways.
This incident underscores the serious nature of bomb threats and the swift actions taken by law enforcement to protect public safety in South Carolina. The effective response illustrated the protocols in place to manage such emergencies and safeguard the community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
