BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – UPDATE
Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal crash that happened along I-81 in Botetourt County Tuesday morning.
At about 4:20 a.m., a Chevrolet was traveling south on I-81, reaching a speed of 99 mph, according to authorities. The Botetourt County sheriff’s deputy who caught how fast the driver was going worked to try and stop the Chevrolet; however, the vehicle didn’t stop and continued south.
The deputy lost the vehicle along the highway, but as the deputy passed mile marker 165, a 911 call came in about a crash at the 168 entrance ramp going south.
Virginia State Police responded to the scene and found a 2018 Chevrolet Impala that exited the interstate driving at high speeds. Police said the car crossed the road and hit a tractor-trailer that was illegally parked on the entrance ramp, then caught fire.
Authorities said witnesses pulled the occupants of the car out as it was burning.
The driver of the Chevrolet was identified as 27-year-old Errington F. Stenson. The other passengers were identified as 33-year-old Ronnie E. Lankins and 28-year-old Gevante Dale Bolton. Police said Stenson and Lankins were taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, but Bolton died at the scene. All three are from Mississippi, according to state police.
Police said speed was a factor in the crash and charges are pending.
The driver of the tractor-trailer involved in the crash was charged for improper stopping on the interstate.
UPDATE
One person is dead and two people are in the hospital after a high-speed chase on I-81 in Botetourt County, according to Virginia State Police.
A deputy was running radar when a car drove by going 99 mph and the deputy activated his lights and siren in an attempt to stop the car, State Police said.
State Police said the car then reached speeds of up to 130 mph and the deputy lost sight of the car before it got off the highway at Exit 168, came across the ramp and vaulted into the back of the tractor-trailer.
Authorities said the tractor-trailer was illegally parked.
Good samaritans were close by and pulled people out of the car before it caught on fire, according to police.
“High-speed chases happen here and there it’s not a normal every night thing but when conditions are this way obviously we don’t want people speeding along. This is a direct result of what happens when you don’t obey speed limit,” said Sgt. Rick Garletts with Virginia State Police.
Authorities said that charges are pending.
UPDATE
One person is dead and several people are in the hospital after a crash on an I-81 ramp in Botetourt County.
Authorities said a vehicle was speeding when it took the exit ramp, then ran into the back of a tractor-trailer parked on the side of the ramp.
10 News is on the scene and working to learn more information.
UPDATE
A driver and multiple passengers are in the hospital after a tractor-trailer crash closed an I-81 entrance ramp in Botetourt County, according to Virginia State Police.
Authorities said a vehicle was speeding when it took the exit ramp, then ran into the back of a tractor-trailer parked on the side of the ramp.
Police told 10 News that the ramp will likely be closed for several hours and they are waiting on a crew to assist with reconstruction.
10 News is at the scene and working to learn more.
Stick with 10 News as this breaking news story develops.
ORIGINAL STORY
A tractor-trailer crash has closed a southbound entrance ramp on I-81 in Botetourt County, according to VDOT.
Authorities said the accident closed Exit 167.
Stick with 10 News as this breaking news story develops.