Multi-vehicle accident closes southbound lanes and leads to backups

STAUNTON - Interstate 81, southbound at mile marker 272 in Shenandoah County, has at least a 9-mile back up due to a multi-vehicle accident, including 3 tractor trailers. Both southbound lanes are closed.

A detour for trucks has been set up at exit 273, southbound onto Route 11. Trucks will be directed back onto I-81, southbound at mile marker 257.

A detour for automobiles has been set up at exit 273, southbound onto Route 703 (Mount Jackson/Bayse), westbound to Route 614 (Forestville), southbound to Route 42 (Woodstock), southbound, to Route 211 (New Market), eastbound to I-81, southbound at mile marker 264. Signs and a pilot truck will be used with the automobile detour. Motorists may want to choose alternate routes.

Officials at the scene say the southbound lanes will remain closed for an extended period of time.

This location is between exit 273 at Route 703 (Mt. Jackson/Bayse) and exit 269 at Route 730 (Shenandoah Caverns). Motorists should expect significant delays in this area.

Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. In areas where 511 is unavailable, dial 1-800-578-4111. (TTY/TDD users, call 711). Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org.

Highway safety is everyone's responsibility. Virginia's highway safety partnership -- the Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and Virginia State Police -- challenges you to help prevent highway fatalities. Buckle up. Avoid distractions. Share the road. Drive drug- and alcohol-free. Obey speed limits. For more information on the Highway Safety Challenge and things you can do to avoid becoming Virginia's next traffic fatality, visit www.safeVAhighways.org

Virginia State Police are on the scene of several multi-vehicle crashes in the southbound lanes of I-81 between the 270 and 272 mileposts. The crashes began occurring around 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 21. One of the crashes does involve fatalities.

All southbound lanes are currently closed and southbound traffic is being detoured off I-81 at the Exit 273/Mount Jackson. Those traveling I-81 south of Winchester and I-66/I-81 junction are advised to prepared for possible delays and the detour. Alternate travel plans are recommended.

Crashes have also been reported in the northbound lanes at this location, but the damaged vehicles have been moved to the shoulders and the lanes are clear.

Slick road conditions from inclement weather are the cause for the multiple wrecks. Motorists are reminded to be extra cautious when driving in inclement weather conditions, especially if there is a potential for icing of roadways. Slowing one's speed, leave ample stopping space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you, and always buckling up are a driver's best defense in icy, slick roads.

(From a press release) Virginia State Police report 23 teens were killed in traffic crashes in September and October, and 12 teens have died in crashes so far this month.

Of the 12 who died in November, 11 were male. Eight were not wearing a seat belt and seven crashes took place on rural routes. Alcohol was a factor in at least one collision. Teen drivers were involved in seven crashes and all the victims ranged from 16 to 20 years of age.

Thanksgiving holiday weekend
Troopers will be out in force on the state's highways during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Last year, 18 people were killed over the holiday.
This year's 120-hour Thanksgiving statistical counting period begins Wednesday, Nov. 26, and ends at midnight Sunday, Nov. 30.

Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office investigator Dave Mason and deputy Rickie Wilson traveled to Louisiana in September to assist law enforcement officers there in the wake of hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Mason shares some photos that he took while out on patrol in the slideshow below.

John the beagle, a Homeward Trails Animal Rescue dog who was lost Aug. 29 in Front Royal, is now safe. He was caught in a special trap at 3 a.m. today. For details: http://findjohn.blogspot.com/

John the beagle (see earlier post below) is still missing, and a group looking for him in the Front Royal area are still searching for him. Visit http://findjohn.blogspot.com for information on how to help.

CHESAPEAKE -- Another Virginia State Police trooper was struck by a car while working on the side of an interstate over the weekend.

On Sunday, Trooper M.S. Walden became the third trooper in three months to be struck on the side of an interstate in the Hampton Roads region. He had stopped a motorist on the eastbound shoulder of Interstate 264 near Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach when another vehicle ran off the road and hit his car. Walden and the driver, who admitted she had been talking on a cell phone, suffered minor injuries.

On Tuesday, interstate, local and state public safety agencies gathered in Chesapeake for a press conference to discuss the state's "Move Over" law. The law requires motorists to move over or slow down when passing emergency vehicles and personnel on the side of the road. The law carries a penalty of up to $2,500 fine and/or 12 months in jail.

"For good reason, many troopers fear being hit by a vehicle more than being hit by a bullet," said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police superintendent, at Tuesday's press conference. "How many more 'near misses' of our public safety personnel is it going to take before the motoring public begins paying attention to their driving habits and complying with Virginia's Move Over law?"

On July 26, Senior Trooper Jesse Dennis and Senior Trooper Warren Desper were struck by motorists in separate incidents on Interstate 64 in Newport News. Both suffered non-life threatening injuries. So far this year, eight troopers have been struck while working.

WINCHESTER -- A "Full Scale Emergency Response Exercise" will be held at Frederick Douglass Elementary School between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Sept. 13. Read more.

(From a press release) RICHMOND - Virginia experienced a significant decline in traffic fatalities over the 2008 Labor Day weekend. During the four-day statistical counting period, preliminary numbers indicate that seven people died in seven traffic crashes - Virginia's lowest Labor Day fatality count since 2001, when six individuals were killed in traffic crashes. Last year, a record 22 lives were lost during the Labor Day weekend.

"Though the declines in traffic crash fatalities during the Labor Day weekend and throughout this entire year are encouraging, Virginians must still make driving safety a priority," said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. "Seven traffic fatalities are still seven too many, especially for the families, friends and communities now mourning the loss of those individuals."

The statistical counting period began Friday, Aug. 29, 2008, 12:01 a.m. and continued through midnight of Monday, Sept. 1, 2008. Two of the fatalities involved motorcyclists, both of whom were wearing motorcycle helmets. The motorcycle fatalities occurred in the City of Virginia Beach and Bland County.

Of the remaining five fatal traffic crashes, three involved individuals not wearing safety belts. The five remaining crashes occurred in the counties of Arlington, Brunswick, Culpeper, Cumberland and Orange.

Alcohol was factor in at least one of the seven traffic fatalities and undetermined in four others. Six of the seven crashes were caused by the vehicle running off the side of the road. Those killed ranged in age from 17 to 53.

Throughout the Labor Day weekend, Virginia State Police participated in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) and Checkpoint Strikeforce, an enforcement and educational campaign aimed at raising awareness about the deadly dangers of impaired driving. Operation C.A.R.E. is a state-sponsored, national program designed to reduce crashes, fatalities and injuries caused by speeding, impaired driving and failure to use occupant restraints.

During the 2008 Labor Day statistical counting period, Virginia State Police:

• Patrolled 337,154 miles


• Assisted 2,682 motorists


• Stopped 8,474 speeders


• Cited 2,395 reckless drivers


• Arrested 137 impaired drivers


• Cited 895 safety belt violations & 272 child restraint violations


• Responded to 621 total traffic crashes.

The Virginia Department of Transportation has launched a new Web site, www.511virginia.org, which provides continuously updated traffic and travel information.

Services offered there the 511 service include:

• Accident and incident alerts


• Live traffic camera images


• Bridge and tunnel reports


• Road construction info


• Free mobile alerts - e-mails or text messages sent whenever conditions change on the roads you most often travel


• Driving directions


• Gas-saving tips


• Weather conditions