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Montgomery County: Driver dead after tractor trailer on I-81 crashes through guardrail

Crystal Graham
montgomery county interstate 81
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A tractor trailer driver is dead after a crash Sunday night on Interstate 81 in Montgomery County.

The single-vehicle accident occurred at 10:40 p.m., one mile north of Route 232.

Damon Elliott Joseph, 49, of Lafayette, La., died at the scene.

According to Virginia State Police, the 2025 Volvo NVL tractor trailer was traveling north on I-81 when the vehicle ran off the left side of the roadway, went through the guardrail and overturned.

Joseph was wearing his seatbelt.

The crash remains under investigation.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she 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 on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.