ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, December 8, 1995               TAG: 9512080098
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA 

TRUCK DRIVER INJURED IN FIERY CRASH IMPROVES WAS THROWN FROM TRACTOR-TRAILER ON I-81

A trucker whose tractor-trailer overturned and burst into flames Sunday on Interstate 81 was moved out of the neurotrauma unit at Roanoke Memorial Hospital on Thursday and listed in stable condition, a hospital spokeswoman said.

David Morris of Yadkin, N.C., was thrown from the tractor-trailer when the vehicle's left rear wheel slammed into a concrete slab that juts out from the guardrail on the overpass over Interstate 581.

Motorists on the overpass and the road below - the I-581 on-ramp for I-81 south - pulled Morris from a pool of diesel fuel as flames from the wreck crept toward him.

I-81 north was closed for about 9 1/2 hours. Firefighters battled the diesel fire for about 3 1/2 hours.

State police charged Morris' driving partner, Luke Sain, with reckless driving. Sain walked away from the accident with bruises and cuts.

LENGTH: Short :   28 lines