Driver flown to hospital with life-threatening injuries following I-81 crash

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – One of multiple drivers involved in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 81 on Wednesday was flown to UVA Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, according to city officials.

Virginia State Police is investigating the crash, which happened around 1 a.m. and involved three tractor trailers and a passenger vehicle at mile marker 244.1 northbound. The incident shut down parts of I-81 northbound and detours were put in place while crews worked the scene, though all lanes have since been reopened and the backup was cleared.

Units from the Harrisonburg Fire Department and Harrisonburg Rescue Squad responded to the crash, where crews found one of the tractor trailer drivers “heavily entangled,” according to new details from HFD. First responders dismantled the “severely damaged” cab to extract the driver, whose legs were pinned.

Multiple heavy wreckers were at the scene of the crash to separate the tractor trailers and help provide access and extrication for responders. Meanwhile, HFD firefighters and paramedics, as well as a medevac helicopter crew, provided stabilizing care for those involved. Additionally, a Harrisonburg police officer was dispatched to Sentara RMH medical center to deliver two additional units of blood to the scene to assist with treatment.

The pinned driver was flown to UVA Medical Center in the medevac helicopter when it was determined they had life-threatening injuries. Two other individuals were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, according to HFD…

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