ROANOKE, Va. — A traffic crash snarled southbound traffic on Interstate 81 about 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, closing a lane and clogging cars in a seven-mile backup.
Virginia State Police Sgt. Rob Carpentieri said a Warner Trucking tractor-trailer driven by Dwight Dixon, 26, of Presque Isle, Maine, attempted to change lanes near mile marker 133 in Roanoke County when it hit a 2008 Nissan driven by Carol Summerlyn, 59, of Portsmouth. Carpentieri said Dixon was switching into the left-hand lane at the time of the crash.
“Apparently she got in his blind spot when he went to change lanes,” the trooper said.
Summerlyn, who suffered minor injuries in the crash, was wearing her seatbelt at the time, authorities said. A rescue crew took her to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital where she was listed in good condition Tuesday evening, according to a hospital official.
Dixon, who was not injured, was charged with improper lane change, Carpentieri said. The left lane of the interstate was closed about 30 minutes as crews cleared the roadway.
(c)2012 The Roanoke Times (Roanoke, Va.)
Distributed by MCT Information Services
BREAKING NEWS !!!!!! My cousins, best friends, sister who once thought about going to Aroostook county was caught jay walking in Argentina.
WOW, starved for something to consider news, I could see if it was a major incident with serious charges pending. I don’t think that being ticketed for improper lane change constitutes the crime of the century.
I agree. I once ran a stop sign in N.C in 1980. did that make the news too?
I blew through a toll booth on the Jersey Pike a few years ago. You’ll never take me alive coppers !!! LOL
What is it with 26 year olds driving big rigs/buses that screams accident?
One thing for sure, he is now unemployed. One accident with these trucking outfits and you are unemployed. Hope he didn’t spend too much on trucking school.
If he was driving for Werner, Trust me, they didnt fire him. They may bring him into safety for a meeting. Will have to do the simulator, but will be back out on the highway in no time. Werner is a company that takes new drivers and gives them experience. One wreck will not destroy your career
how is it the truck drivers fault if the car was in his blind spot? it doesnt sound like he purposely tried to cut her off.
In Virginia, any opportunity to fine or punish commercial drivers is not passed up.
I spent many years driving through Virginia, most of them on I-81. One thing that I learned is that Virginia drivers have a propensity to get in the left lane and park. I have no idea why, just that they do.
These are things that you pick up with experience. Everyone make mistakes. If you don’t make them then you aren’t doing anything.
Aahh, the Left Lane Bandits. Driving along at the same speed as the other lanes with a train behind them while others are making crazy moves to get around them. Happens most everywhere.
Driving in Portugal, I noticed that the lanes were all marked with their respective minimum speeds. That was respected (and a real pleasure).