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

uva baseball chris pollard
Baseball

UVA Baseball: How are we supposed to feel about Chris Pollard throwing his guys under the bus?

tv
Etc.

AEW ‘Dynamite’ ratings back up post-Darby Allin nightmare title run

The weeks of decline in viewership for AEW “Dynamite” that coincided with the illogical move to put the world title on a skateboard goofball saw a reversal after the title switch at “Double or Nothing.”

matt augustin uva baseball
Baseball

UVA Baseball: RHP Matt Augustin among three ‘Hoos entering transfer portal

No surprise here, that Matt Augustin, a 6’3” righthander who was only used seven times in 2026 by the new UVA Baseball coaching staff, is in the transfer portal – one of three ‘Hoos to enter the portal on Monday.

lgbtq
Politics, Virginia

Marriage equality is the law of the land, sure, but, take nothing for granted

stephen colbert
Politics

Video: #TeamAFP plays the ‘Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ 15 questions game

government money
Politics, U.S. & World

Developing: Trump backing away from slush fund that Ben Cline had no problem with

matt hart uva basketball
Basketball

UVA Basketball: Ryan Odom names staffer Matt Hart to GM role