Two major crashes on the Outer Loop of the Beltway and heavy traffic volume gummed up Thanksgiving getaway traffic across the D.C. area Wednesday.

The scene on the Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway after a crash near Georgetown Pike on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016. (Courtesy NBC Washington) Courtesy NBC Washington NBC Washington chief meteorologist Doug Kammerer is stuck in the traffic backup around the crash on the Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway right after Georgetown Pike. (NBC Washington/Doug Kammerer) NBC Washington/Doug Kammerer A truck is seen on top of two cars on the Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway near the American Legion Bridge on Nov. 23, 2016. (Courtesy Montgomery County Fire/Pete Piringer) Courtesy Montgomery County Fire/Pete Piringer A truck crashed on top of two cars on the Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway near the American Legion Bridge on Nov. 23, 2016. (District Rising via Twitter) District Rising via Twitter A truck is seen on top of two cars on the Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway at the American Legion Bridge on Nov. 23, 2016. (Courtesy Montgomery County Fire/Pete Piringer) Courtesy Montgomery County Fire/Pete Piringer A truck is seen on top of two cars on the Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway at the American Legion Bridge on Nov. 23, 2016. (Courtesy Montgomery County Fire/Pete Piringer) Courtesy Montgomery County Fire/Pete Piringer The scene at the American Legion Bridge, where a crash closed the Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway at about 7:45 a.m. Wednesday. (Courtesy NBC Washington) Courtesy NBC Washington All lanes of the Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway were closed after a crash involving two box trucks and two cars. (Courtesy of Ron D via Twitter) Courtesy of Ron D via Twitter ( 1 /8) Share This Gallery: Share on Facebook. Share on Twitter. Share via email. Print.

WASHINGTON — During the morning of one of the busiest travel days of the year, two separate crashes closed down parts of the Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway — one of the busiest travel routes in the area.

Traffic volume and other minor crashes, meanwhile, gummed up Thanksgiving getaway traffic across the D.C. area.

Shortly after 12:30 p.m., all lanes on the Capital Beltway had reopened after the two major crashes, but major delays persisted.

“Earlier accidents that we had this morning have left us in major delays that we have yet to recover from,” WTOP traffic reporter Reada Kessler said early Wednesday afternoon. “Add to that all the people getting on the roadway right now to get out of town, and every artery is going to be clogged. Basically, just expect to sit in delays and if you can delay your trip, it would be a good idea to do so.”

The first of the two crashes occurred at about 7:45 a.m. after a southbound Freightliner box truck approaching the American Legion Bridge struck another box truck, overturned and landed on top of a BMW and PT Cruiser.

The drivers of two of the vehicles suffered minor injuries, according to Pete Piringer of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service. But as far as he knew, they didn’t need to be transported to hospitals, he said.

The box truck that was struck leaked fuel requiring a HAZMAT unit to respond.

The New Jersey driver of the Freighliner has been charged with negligent driving, operating on a suspended license and other charges, Maryland State Police said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

The crash led to severe delays after the roadway was shut down for a collision investigation. At about 10:45 a.m. all lanes had been reopened.

However, just before 11 a.m., another multivehicle crash right again closed lanes right after the Georgetown Pike. At about 12:30, all lanes had reopened but, again, residual delays continued.