Wythe County, VA – A crash on Interstate 81 sparked a vehicle fire Wednesday, prompting a rapid rescue of an injured driver.
According to Virginia State Police, the incident occurred at approximately 4:51 p.m. March 18 on I-81 southbound near the 70-mile marker. Authorities said a commercial motor vehicle was slowing in the left lane when it was rear-ended by a 2023 Ram 3500 van.
The impact allegedly caused the van to catch fire, creating an immediate خطر for the driver.
Virginia State Police Trooper D. Marshall and a Wythe County Sheriff’s deputy responded to the scene and worked together to pull the driver from the burning vehicle. The driver, identified as Felipe Baez, 42, of Midland, Texas, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital.
Police said Baez was charged with reckless driving in connection with the crash.
The driver of the commercial motor vehicle sustained minor injuries, according to authorities.
The crash remains under investigation.
The incident caused disruptions along the busy interstate corridor, a key route for commuters and long-distance drivers traveling through southwest Virginia.
This stretch of I-81 is heavily used by both commercial and passenger traffic, increasing the potential impact of crashes involving large vehicles.
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