FREDERICK COUNTY, VA: (Rocktown Now) – UPDATE: Names have been added to this story after a Virginia State Police press release.
A fiery crash involving two tractor‑trailers shut down northbound Interstate 81 from Thursday evening until around 8 a.m. Friday, after a chain‑reaction collision sparked massive explosions and a fire visible for miles.
Virginia State Police said the crash happened shortly before midnight near Exit 310 in the Stephens City area. Investigators determined that a passenger car attempting to merge onto I‑81 South failed to yield, causing a southbound tractor‑trailer to strike it. The impact sent the truck across the median and into northbound lanes, where it collided with a second tractor‑trailer hauling oxygen tanks.
The tanks ignited on impact, triggering a series of explosions that produced large flames, loud booms, and thick black smoke. Debris and fire damaged a Frederick County Sheriff’s Office vehicle and several cars in a nearby parking lot.
The driver of the first tractor‑trailer, Russell R. Haskins, 64, of Altavista, Va., died at the scene. The second truck driver, Jeffrey J. Hudnell, 52, of Philadelphia, Pa., was transported to a hospital, where he later died. The driver of the passenger car, Mario A. Saldivar-Romaro, of Rockingham, Va. was not injured, and charged with reckless driving, and additional charges are possible following consultation with the Frederick County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
Motorists traveling north on I‑81 faced hours‑long delays, with the interstate closed through the night as hazmat teams and heavy wreckers worked to remove debris, inspect spilled materials, and resurface damaged pavement. Traffic was diverted onto Valley Pike, Front Royal Pike, and Tasker Road, causing significant congestion across the area.
By Friday morning, crews had reopened portions of the northbound lanes, though cleanup continued into the afternoon.
Video from NBC4 Washington includes video of the crash scene shortly after the accident occurred, from You Tube.
