Greenville, VA – A tanker truck carrying ammonia crashed on Interstate 81 in Augusta County Monday morning, prompting an extended closure of the highway. The incident occurred near mile marker 212, when the driver of the southbound truck suffered a medical emergency.
According to Virginia State Police, the truck sideswiped another vehicle before crashing into the median. Hazmat crews were quickly deployed to the scene, and the driver of the truck was transported to a nearby hospital. The driver of the vehicle that was sideswiped escaped injury.
The crash, which occurred around 10 a.m., resulted in the closure of all northbound and southbound lanes of I-81 near mile marker 210.7 in Augusta County. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) warned of major delays on I-81 and U.S. 11 in southern Augusta County and northern Rockbridge County, advising motorists to avoid the area if possible.
“I-81 is expected to remain closed through the afternoon hours on Monday due to hazmat and crash cleanup operations,” VDOT stated. Traffic was detoured, causing delays along U.S. 11. The incident occurred between exit 205 (Raphine) and exit 213 (Greenville).
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