Fiery I-81 wreck kills truck driver

A male driver of a tractor-trailer carrying a load of batteries died following a fiery crash along Interstate 81 northbound Sunday evening, according to the Virginia State Police.

Sgt. David Cooper said the accident took place about 6:53 p.m. near the Verona exit at mile marker 227.

The tractor-trailer was in the left lane and was passing two vehicles, Cooper said. Once it had completed the pass, Cooper said, the driver signaled a lane change and moved back into the right lane before going into the shoulder of the road, striking a guardrail and an embankment and catching on fire.

The fire spread to the trailer, which carried a load of batteries, some of which began to explode from the heat.

The driver, according to Cooper, was in his mid-60s. He was not identified pending notification of his family.

Both northbound lanes were closed immediately following the accident as traffic backed up for several miles.

Late Sunday evening, Cooper said the right lane of I-81 north remained closed for a hazardous materials crew to clean up the highway.

“It’ll probably stay closed for some time,” Cooper said.

Traffic was backed up for several miles Sunday evening before the one lane reopened.