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Interstate 81: Police help driver to safety after vehicle catches fire following crash

Crystal Graham
virginia state police interstate 81 file photo accident interstate
File photo courtesy Virginia State Police

A Virginia State Police trooper and a Wythe County Sheriff’s Department deputy helped a driver to safety after his van caught fire on Interstate 81 on Wednesday.

Police released dashcam footage of the incident today.

Virginia State Trooper D. Marshall arrived at the crash scene at 4:51 p.m. on I-81 southbound at the 70 mile marker.

According to the initial investigation, the fire started after an accident when the driver of the van struck a commercial vehicle that had slowed for traffic in the left lane of the interstate.

The driver of the van suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries on Wednesday evening. Felipe Baez, 42, of Midland, Texas, was taken to an area hospital for treatment.  He has now been charged with reckless driving, according to VSP.

The driver of the commercial vehicle had minor injuries.

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]