ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, August 8, 1996               TAG: 9608080056
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-2  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: HAGERSTOWN, MD.

TRUCK DRIVER DIES ON I-81 IN MD.

A Harrisonburg, Va., truck driver was killed Wednesday when his tractor-trailer struck a car in the median strip of Interstate 81, state police said.

Charles Harper was traveling north on Interstate 81 in the fast lane when a vehicle in the slow lane cut in front of his truck while attempting to use a median crossover to make a U-turn, state police said.

Harper drove onto the median in an attempt to avoid striking the vehicle. Harper's truck hit the back half of the car, lost control and struck a bridge abutment. Harper, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the truck, and died later at Washington County Hospital.

Charges are pending against the operator of the second vehicle, state police said.

- Associated Press

LENGTH: Short :   28 lines
KEYWORDS: FATALITY