ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, September 9, 1996 TAG: 9609090168
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER
A chain-reaction crash involving six tractor-trailers slowed traffic on northbound lanes of Interstate 81 in Botetourt County for four hours Sunday night, but no one was seriously injured.
The first truck driver stopped when he saw what appeared to be a barrel in the middle of his lane, state police said. Three other trucks stopped safely behind him, but the fifth and sixth trucks were unable to stop in time and rear-ended the other trucks.
The first driver could have driven over the barrel, which turned out to be a steel cylinder, state police said. The last two drivers, both from Tennessee, were charged with failure to maintain proper control of their vehicles.
One person was taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, but his injuries did not appear to be serious. Police said all the trucks were probably total losses.
The accident happened about 7 p.m. between the Buchanan and Arcadia exits. The left lane remained open, but traffic was backed up for three miles until the right lane was reopened just before 11 p.m.
LENGTH: Short : 30 linesby CNB