Gregory W. Minton dies in fatal Augusta County car crash
Fatal Augusta County car crash death of Gregory W. Minton
An individual involved in the operation of a large freight vehicle lost their life following a significant vehicular accident. This incident transpired during the afternoon hours of Wednesday, with the crash occurring on Interstate 81 at mile marker 222. The site of the accident was situated in the median area adjacent to the interchange connecting I-81 with the westbound direction of Interstate 64.
Upon impact, the vehicle, which was transporting canine sustenance, collided with a sign belonging to the Virginia Department of Transportation. This collision resulted in the obstruction of both northbound lanes of I-81. Emergency response personnel were dispatched by the Virginia State Police at approximately 4:30 p.m. and remained on the scene, implementing lane restrictions, until the traffic situation was resolved at 8:45 p.m.
As of 6:37 p.m., the left side of the northbound shoulder and the corresponding lane were officially closed. According to reports from the Virginia Department of Transportation, the traffic congestion resulting from this event extended for about 5.5 miles.
Eyewitnesses relayed that the truck departed the roadway on the left side, making contact with a barrier before flipping onto its side. The authorities are currently examining the underlying reasons that led to this unfortunate event. Virginia State Police have officially confirmed that the individual who was operating the vehicle at the time of the incident was Gregory W. Minton, a resident of Rutherford County, Tennessee, and was the sole person present within the truck cabin.
Subsequent to the clearing of the accident site, alternative travel arrangements were set up for northbound traffic on both I-64 and Route 262. Details regarding a distinct collision that occurred on I-64 at mile marker 88 on Thursday afternoon led to temporary closures of the westbound shoulder, which were rectified by approximately 5:11 p.m. that day. On Thursday, as reported by VDOT, there were also notable delays on I-64 westbound near mile marker 87, with traffic backups reported to be around two miles long by 6:16 p.m.
