Man Killed Outside His Vehicle On I-81

A Midlothian man was killed in an interstate accident in northern Rockbridge County that stalled traffic for hours last Saturday evening.

According to a report from the Virginia State Police, a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe was illegally parked on the right shoulder of the northbound roadway of I-81 two miles south of the Raphine exit at 5 p.m. The driver, Timothy James Korman, 71, was outside the vehicle, when a 2018 Kenworth tractor-trailer struck the Tahoe. The Tahoe then struck the driver, who died at the scene.

The tractor-trailer driver was taken to a hospital by Lexington Rescue. The Fairfield Volunteer Rescue Squad, Raphine and South River fire departments, and Rockbridge County Fire-Rescue also responded.

The Virginia State Police Crash Reconstruction Team and the Motor Carrier Team assisted with the crash.

No charges are pending, and the crash remains under investigation, according to the state police.

The accident closed down both lanes of the interstate for hours, with one lane being reopened after 9 p.m. Northbound traffic was diverted onto U.S. 11.

During the traffic backup on Interstate 81, local first responders also responded to an accident at mile marker 194 northbound.