Tractor trailer accident closes one northbound lane of I-81

Staff
Published: October 6, 2008

4:53 p.m. update

According to State Police, 175-200 gallons of diesel fuel were spilled from the truck, but none of the fuel was spilled near the New River. 

“This was a very unusual crash,“ said First Sergeant Mike Honaker. “By the time the vehicle came to rest the cab of the truck was actually hanging over the bridge in a very precarious position. The vehicle, including the driver, was perched about 80 to 90 feet above the ground and there was no way to immediately remove the driver, even though he was obviously injured and concerned about where he ended up.  Once we looked at a couple of different ways to remove the driver a decision was made to bring in a fire truck with a large extension ladder to reach the driver. I can’t say enough about the fire department, they did an exceptional job in developing a plan to safely remove Mr. Armstead from a very dangerous situation.“

According to Honaker, Armstead stated that he had just lit a cigarette and began to choke and cough. Armstead says after that he’s not sure if he passed out or not.

Police say Armstead was traveling about 70 miles per hour when he lost control of the vehicle. 

He suffered minor injuries and was transported to the New River Valley Medical Center for treatment. 

He was charged with reckless driving. 

The commercial motor vehicle is a 2002 Freightliner tractor truck registered to Williams Farms Trucking, Inc. out of Charleston, Mississippi. 

The northbound lanes of on I-81 were closed for almost two hours, causing a significant traffic back up. 

As of 3:10 p.m. only one lane of I-81 north was open.

3:47 p.m. update
The driver’s name was incorrectly reported earlier. It is Armstead, instead of Armsted. It has been corrected below.

3:05 p.m. update
At about 8:55 a.m., Claude Armstead, 52, of Batesville, Miss., was traveling northbound on I-81 when he ran off the road to the right approximately 580 feet and was dangling over the bridge.

He also damaged 200 feet of the gaurd rail.

Armstead was charged with reckless driving (failure to maintain control).

He was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries.
The right lane is still closed as crews continue to clean up the wreckage.

The crash ruptured the fuel tank on the tractor trailer, causing oil to spill from the engine, according to state police.

Armstead was hauling computers for Charleston, Miss.-based Williamson Farms Inc.

1:40 p.m.
511 is reporting an accident on I-81 in Pulaski County. At mile marker 104 motorists can expect minor delays, according to 511.org. The northbound, right lane is closed.

The photos were sent via cell phone, from reporter Ashley Roberts who is on the scene.