Inspector Rick Jury said it caused "major traffic congestion'' on one of the city's busiest arterial roads, delaying people getting to work.
The southbound lane had to be closed.
Mr Jury understood two people suffered injuries.
In a third accident in the city this morning, a man suffered injuries to his legs and had to be cut free from his van when it hit the back of a car in Sydenham.
He said firefighters had to use hydraulic equipment to free the driver of the van.
Mr Peoples said charges were yet to be determined.
