Home State Police: Two dead in Interstate 81 accident in Rockbridge County
Local, Region/State

State Police: Two dead in Interstate 81 accident in Rockbridge County

Crystal Graham
interstate 81
(© Eli Wilson/Wirestock – stock.adobe.com)

Two people are dead following an accident on Interstate 81 in Rockbridge County on Saturday.

Donna Diane Reinikka, 92, died at the scene. Everett Arnold Reinikka, 91, was transported to Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital where he later died. Both were from Coatesville, Penn.

The accident occurred Sept. 7 at 2:49 p.m., two miles south of North Lee Highway.

A 2023 Chrysler Pacifica was traveling northbound in the right lane and a 2017 Subaru Crosstrek traveling northbound in the left lane on Interstate 81.

According to Virginia State Police, the accident occurred when both vehicles attempted to change lanes striking each other.

The two passengers in the Chrysler were the two fatalities in the accident.

The names of the two drivers have not been released.

The crash remains under investigation.

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Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, Crystal Graham has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at [email protected]

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