All lanes open on Interstate 64 after several injured in bus, tractor-trailer crash in Albemarle County

by: WFXRtv.com Digital Desk

Posted: Nov 17, 2019 / 08:03 AM EST / Updated: Nov 17, 2019 / 02:51 PM EST

A tractor-trailer was involved in a wreck on Interstate 64 in Albermarle County. The interstate was closed for several miles Sunday, Nov. 17. (Photo: Courtesy VDOT)

UPDATE 2:48 P.M.: WFXR sister station WRIC-TV reports 19 people were injured in an accident involving a Silver Lining tour bus and tractor-trailer loaded with U.S. mail on I-64 east near the top of Afton Mountain.

“A tractor-trailer was traveling east on I-64, when the driver lost control and the tractor-trailer overturned across the roadway,” VSP said. “A commercial bus traveling in the eastbound lane was unable to avoid the tractor-trailer and struck it.”

The impact of the crash split the tractor-trailer in half, VSP said.

The Silver Lining tour bus ran off the right side of the highway and came to rest against the guardrail. The bus had more than 20 passengers on board.

According to Virginia State Police, 15 people — including the two bus drivers — were taken to UVA Medical Center and 4 others were transported to Augusta Medical. The injuries range from minor to serious.

VSP said 44-year-old James Proffit of Suffolk — the tractor-trailer driver — is being treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries.

“There were at least seven other minor crashes that occurred in the eastbound lanes of I-64 immediately following the initial crash,” VSP said in an update. No one in those minor crashes sustained injuries.

Virginia State Police said heavy fog and icy roads were to blame for the crash.

The Virginia State Police Motor Carrier Safety Team responded to the scene to assist with the crash investigation. The U.S. Postal Inspector also responded to the scene since the tractor-trailer was loaded with U.S. mail.

UPDATE 9:30 A.M.: All lanes have re-opened after this morning’s wreck on Interstate 64 west of Charlottesville.

Update: all lanes are now open in both directions on I-64. https://t.co/AdlHHWjDiF
— VDOT (@VaDOT) November 17, 2019

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR/WRIC) — A bus and tractor-trailer crash on Interstate 64 west of Charlottesville has shut the road and sent several to area hospitals.

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the wreck happened at mile marker 100 around 4:30 a.m. and involved a tractor-trailer and a commercial bus. A photo from VDOT showed an 18-wheeler stretched across multiple lanes near Afton. It is unclear how many other vehicles may be involved in the crash.

WFXR sister station WRIC-TV reports several people have been transported to Charlottesville-area hospitals with injuries. “Initial reports said it was a mass casualty accident, but according to VSP there are no confirmed fatalities,” the station reports.

We're working to clear motorists stuck in the queue along #I64 in the #Afton area. But eastbound and westbound lanes are still closed between exits 96 and 107 due to mountaintop crash. pic.twitter.com/HJDLdODDFt
— VDOT Staunton (@VaDOTStaunton) November 17, 2019

It is unclear if weather conditions played a roll in the crash, but the National Weather Service office for the Washington and Baltimore regions warned of possible freezing drizzle and said drivers around Interstate 81 and Interstate 64 “in the valley” should use caution.

UPDATE: Freezing drizzle looks to even be making it down to the valley floor for areas in the Winter Weather Advisory. Use caution when driving this morning, especially around I-81 and I-64 in the valley.
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) November 17, 2019

Detours are in place for both east and westbound lanes between exits 96 and 107. If you are traveling north of the WFXR viewing area in this region, use caution and expect delays.