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11 a.m. Wednesday - One person was critically injured and three others also suffered injuries in a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 81 between the Timber Ridge and Fairfield exits this morning.
The accident involved a tractor-trailer and two recreational vehicles that were parked on the shoulder.
According to Kevin Moore, Rockbridge County Fire and Rescue deputy chief, the accident occurred at about 6:50 a.m.
Two recreational vehicles, one with a pull-behind camper, had pulled onto the shoulder of the interstate after a possible mechanical issue arose with one of the vehicles, and one man had gotten out of his vehicle to check on the vehicle, Moore said.
A tractor-trailer in the right lane then apparently drifted into one of the recreational vehicles, causing that one to strike the second one. The tractor-trailer driver told state police that he was having visibility issues because of the angle of the sun at that time of the morning.
Moore said the cab of the tractor-trailer caught fire and the fire was extinguished by firefighters.
Moore said the man who was outside the vehicle was critically injured and was airlifted from a landing zone set up on the interstate by first responders. Three others suffered lesser injuries and were taken by ambulance to Carilion Rockbridge CommunityHospital.
The northbound lanes of the interstate were closed between Timber Ridge and Fairfield and traffic was detoured onto U.S. 11 at both the Timber Ridge and Lexington exits. As of 11 a.m., traffic on U.S. 11 was backed up between Fairfield and Timber Ridge and the onramp to I-81 at Timber Ridge remained closed.
Moore reported that before 10 a.m. one lane had reopened at the crash site, while cleanup operations continued.
Responding to the accident were the South River and Rockbridge Baths volunteer fire departments, Lexington Fire and Rescue, the Fairfield Rescue Squad and Rockbridge County Fire and Rescue.
10 a.m. - A multi-vehicle accident at mile marker 197 with at least one injury has the northbound lanes of I-81 closed between Timber Ridge and Fairfield.
VDOT crews are detouring traffic onto U.S. 11 at both the Timber Ridge and Lexington exits, and traffic backups on U.S. 11 south of Fairfield are extensive.
