Tractor-trailer driver charged, 31-year-old woman identified after deadly crash on Interstate 81

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. – Virginia State Police have released the name of the woman who died, as well as the man who was charged in connection with Tuesday's deadly crash on Interstate 81 in Montgomery County.

A 1988 Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling north in the right lane on Interstate 81 at the 127.5 mile marker prior to when the crash occurred, and police say he didn't allow enough room to stop safely when traffic slowed down. 

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The Freightliner struck a 2008 Chrysler Sebring in the rear, then changed, lanes striking a 2013 Nissan Altima, which was stopped for traffic in the left lane, police said. The tractor-trailer then pushed the 2013 Nissan into the rear of an International box truck and came to rest, according to police.

The driver of the Freightliner, 47-year-old Khaul Aamir Rahim, of Wilmington, Delaware, was charged with reckless driving in the crash; other charges are pending. Police say he was wearing his seat belt and was not injured.

The driver of the 2013 Nissan, 32-year-old Bradley A. McKeown, of Charlottesville, was not wearing his seat belt and was transported Lewis-Gale Montgomery for non-life-threatening injuries. 

His passenger, Katherine B. McKeown, 31, of Charlottesville, was wearing her seat belt and died at the scene.

The driver of the Chrysler, Princess K. Gress, 25, of Johnson City, Tennessee, was wearing her seat belt and was transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the 2015 International, John A. Caraway, 54, of Thomasville, North Carolina, was wearing his seat belt and was not injured.

The crash remains under investigation.