Home Tractor trailer driver suffers serious injuries after truck catches fire on I-81
Local

Tractor trailer driver suffers serious injuries after truck catches fire on I-81

Crystal Graham
tractor trailer fire Shenandoah County Interstate 81
Accident photos courtesy Virginia State Police

The scene on Interstate 81 was nothing short of apocalyptic on Saturday at 3:49 p.m. when a tractor trailer caught fire in Shenandoah County.

According to Virginia State Police, the tractor trailer was traveling north on I-81 when a tire blew out, causing it to collide with a guardrail, jackknife and catch fire.

The driver, Giorgi Khutsishvili, 42, of Lake Hopatcong, N.J., suffered serious injuries. He was transported to Winchester Medical Center for treatment.

No other vehicles were reported to be involved in the crash at the 272-mile marker.

The northbound lanes of I-81 were shut down for approximately two hours. The Virginia Department of Transportation assisted with the roadway closure and detour.

The crash remains under investigation.

81 shenco2 041915

Support AFP




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]

Latest News

Local

Rockingham County: New signal in place at Route 340-Route 649 intersection

earth
Politics, U.S. & World

Alon Ben-Meir: The global epidemic of violence in an age of impunity

Global violence today is metastasizing, not contained; over 180,000 violent events reported globally by the International Institute for Strategic Studies signal a world in which conflict has become a baseline condition rather than an exception.

healthcare
Issues, U.S. & World

Virginia Tech scientist addresses what we need to know about hantavirus outbreak

Donald Trump, saying he has been briefed on the recent outbreak of the Andes hantavirus on a Dutch cruise ship, is trying to downplay any concerns about possible disease spread, telling reporters that the situation is “under control.”

interstate 81 route 11 exit 251 harrisonburg
Politics

Rockingham County: Work to begin on mile-long sidewalk on Route 11

john paone uva baseball
Baseball

UVA Baseball: Paone stellar for ‘Hoos in 2-1 pitchers’ duel win over Cal

ryan odom uva basketball
Basketball

UVA Basketball: Odom gets commitment from 7’1” prep center Favour Ibe

aew darby allin
Etc.

Another week of viewer decline for AEW with Darby Allin as champ