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

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.

 
 

 




Featured Video

 

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham is the digital editor and development director for Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, Crystal 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. She also has a strong development background as the former director in Virginia for a national suicide prevention organization. You can reach her at [email protected]. Support AFP by signing up for our newsletter and/or powering our work with a one-time or monthly contribution.

Latest News

newspaper online news AFP mobile phone newsfeed
Local

Thought exercise: How Waynesboro is different, if Augusta Free Press never existed

tony elliott
Football, Go 'Hoos

UVA Football: Tony Elliott filibusters his way through a 14-minute answer to a question

If there is a god in heaven above us, we soon won’t have a few reporters in a room with Tony Elliott each Tuesday throwing the UVA Football head coach questions that he doesn’t want to have to answer.

uva basketball nolan adekunle
Basketball, Go 'Hoos

UVA Basketball Notebook: Adekunle adjusts to U.S. game, tempo on overdrive

It’s hard to think of Nolan Adekunle, a 24-year-old who played in German pro leagues for three seasons before joining the UVA Basketball program, as a freshman.

police court law
Local

Mennonite kidnapping trial: Valerie Hayes, co-defendant, will have separate trials

community calendar
Local

Community Calendar: First look at upcoming events for our holiday season

Brad Gilmore
Pro Wrestling

‘Hall of Fame’ co-host Brad Gilmore on his new book, ‘Making the Towns’

uva basketball bench
Basketball, Go 'Hoos

UVA Basketball: Odom able to get minutes for bench guys in win over Bucknell