Home State Police | Charges pending in tractor trailer accident that killed one on I-81
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State Police | Charges pending in tractor trailer accident that killed one on I-81

Crystal Graham
interstate 81 i-81
Photo: © Eli Wilson/Wirestock/stock.adobe.com

An Ohio man is dead following a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 81 in Washington County on Friday.

Jimmie L. Fields, 90, of Lewis Center, Ohio, died at the scene, according to Virginia State Police.

A passenger in his vehicle, Chester A. Fields, 75, suffered serious injuries.

The fatal accident occurred on I-81 southbound at the 26-mile marker at 8:03 p.m.

Fields’ Ford E-150 was travelling in the left lane of the interstate when it was struck by an International 9200I tractor trailer that was making a lane change.  The Ford then hit the guardrail, went into the median and struck a concrete pillar.  The tractor trailer also came to rest in the median.

The driver of the tractor trailer, Robert T. Turnage II, 52, of Collins, Miss., suffered minor injuries.

Charges are pending.

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]