Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 5, 1990                   TAG: 9004060862
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TRUCKER CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING TROOPERS ON I-81

Trooper T.R. Warden stopped the driver about 9:10 p.m. near the Dixie Caverns exit in the northbound lane of the highway, said state police Sgt. L.E. McMahon.

The tractor-trailer driver became argumentative and began cursing immediately after he was stopped, and Warden radioed for backup, McMahon said.

Trooper W.W. Viohl responded as a backup, but by the time he arrived, the driver had calmed down.

Warden and the truck driver were sitting in Warden's patrol car, and the trooper was writing the man a summons for speeding. Viohl began inspecting the tractor and trailer for any motor carrier violations, McMahon said.

The truck driver became irate again as Warden was writing the summons, and got out of the police car. Warden told the driver to get back in the car, but he refused, McMahon said.

Warden followed the man out of the car, and the man pushed him over a guardrail. Viohl tried to help Warden, and the man struck him in the face, knocking off his glasses, McMahon said.

Richard H. Dye, 45, of West Alexandria, Pa., was charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer, speeding and for not keeping his log book up to date, a motor carrier misdemeanor violation.