Charges pending after tractor-trailer crash kills two on I-81 in Roanoke County

State police ID'd victims

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va.UPDATE

The victims of a four-car crash that killed two people on I-81 in Roanoke County have been identified, and police say charges are pending. 

According to Virginia State Police, the crash happened around 6 p.m. Wednesday on I-81 northbound near mile marker 134 when traffic was slowing and coming to a stop. A 2014 International tractor-trailer in the right lane hit two cars and another tractor-trailer, all of which were stopping for traffic. The International came to rest in the median. 

Joshua A. Bernard, 38, of Elizabethtown, Tenn. was driving the 2014 International tractor-trailer and has been charged with reckless driving. He was wearing his seatbelt and was not hurt. 

51-year-old Jeffrey Noffsinger was driving a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe and wearing his seatbelt, according to police. He was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he later died. 

Peter Ozolins, 64, of Blacksburg was driving a 2009 Lexus RS-350 and wearing his seatbelt. Police say he was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he later died. 

The other tractor-trailer, a 2016 Freightliner, was driven by Yang Li of Rancho Cucamanga, Ca. According to state police, he was wearing his seatbelt and was not hurt. 

Authorities say the crash remains under investigation. 

ORIGINAL STORY

One person is dead after a crash on I-81 in Roanoke County on Wednesday night.

The crash happened at mile marker 134 around 6 p.m.

Drivers can expect delays. The road is blocked northbound and southbound.  Detours have been set up by VDOT for traffic at exits 137 and 132.

Virginia State Police is investigating.

 

 

 


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