Home State Police investigating tractor trailer crash on I-81 in Rockingham County
Virginia

State Police investigating tractor trailer crash on I-81 in Rockingham County

Chris Graham

Rockingham CountyVirginia State Police Trooper H. Kelly is investigating a single-vehicle crash in Rockingham County that occurred Thursday at 12:19 a.m. on Interstate 81 at the 258 mile-marker.

A 2015 Peterbuilt tractor trailer was traveling north on I-81, when it ran off of the left side of the roadway, collided with a guard rail, overturned on a jersey wall, and caught fire.

The driver of the tractor trailer, Danny W. Pendergrass, 55, of Blountville, Tn., was uninjured in the crash. Pendergrass was wearing a seat-belt.

The tractor trailer was hauling copper. The crash cleanup caused I-81 northbound to be closed for several hours.

Pendergrass was charged with reckless driving.

The crash remains under investigation.

Virginia State Police was assisted by VDOT and Rockingham County Fire and Rescue.

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].