An early morning, multi-vehicle crash shut down Interstate 81 in Berkeley County, West Virginia, for an extended time on May 13. The incident involved a car, two SUVs and three tractor-trailers.
What we know about the I-81 crash At 2:37 a.m., deputies from the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of the 4-mile marker on Interstate 81 for reports of a multiple vehicle crash.
A BMW sedan was southbound just south of the Inwood exit when the vehicle hydroplaned, hit a guardrail, crossed into the northbound lanes and struck the side of a tractor-trailer, according to a report from the sheriff’s office. The BMW became disabled in the center lane of the northbound lanes, but the driver and passenger were able to get out of the vehicle.
An SUV was traveling in the right northbound lane when the driver saw the disabled vehicle. While attempting to avoid the BMW, a collision ensued between the SUV and another tractor-trailer. The tractor-trailer then struck the disabled BMW and flipped onto its driver’s side.
Another tractor-trailer traveling north struck the flipped trailer and suffered damage to the driver’s side of the truck and trailer. Another SUV ran over debris and sustained a flat tire.
The report did not say what time I-81 reopened.
No other information is available at this time, including vehicle and driver information, injuries or any potential charges, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputy Carroll is investigating and crash and information can be reported at 304-267-7000.