A total of six people were injured in a two-vehicle crash involving a tractor-trailer that shut down Interstate 85 in Dinwiddie County for hours Monday morning.
The crash occurred at around 5 a.m. near mile marker 41 (one mile south of McKenney) and shut all southbound lanes down for hours. At 11 a.m., only one lane had reopened, according to VDOT. Traffic officials announced shortly before 2 p.m. that all lanes had reopened.
Virginia State Police said the crash occurred after a 2018 Freightliner tractor and trailer that was traveling in the right lane struck a 2018 Toyota Corrolla in the rear. The Corrolla then struck a guardrail on the right, veered back onto the roadway and then off the left side of the interstate where it struck a tree.
The tractor-trailer then lost control and overturned on its side before striking a tree off the left side of the interstate. The load was not lost, according to VSP, though a diesel spillage resulted from the damage.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, 47-year-old Duane L. Bryant, of North Carolina, was taken to the hospital with what VSP called ‘minor-to-serious’ injuries. Bryant was also charged with reckless driving and failure to maintain control.
The adult male driver of the Toyota was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Four others — another adult and three juvenile passengers — were all wearing their seat belts and taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Hazmat crews in addition to VDOT, and Dinwiddie County Sheriff’s Office assisted with road closures. Drivers should continue to expect delays.
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