Two people died after a tractor-trailer and a truck carrying oxygen tanks collided Thursday night on I-81 in Frederick County, according to Virginia State Police.
The crash happened at about 8:10 p.m. Sept. 10 on northbound I-81 near Exit 310, police said.
The preliminary investigation indicates a passenger car was attempting to enter I-81 southbound from an on-ramp when the driver failed to yield to traffic. The vehicle crossed two lanes and struck a tractor-trailer traveling southbound, police said.
The tractor-trailer then went off the interstate to the left, crossed through the median and struck a northbound truck carrying oxygen tanks.
The collision ignited a fire, causing the oxygen tanks to explode. Video from CivicView showed bright red flames and huge billows of smoke.
The explosions damaged a Frederick County Sheriff’s Department vehicle as well as a vehicle in a lot east of the interstate, police said. The deputy whose vehicle was damaged was not injured.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, Russell R. Haskins, 64, of Altavista, Virginia, died at the scene.
The driver of the truck carrying oxygen tanks, Jeffrey J. Hudnell, 52, of Philadelphia, suffered serious injuries and later died at an area hospital.
The driver of the passenger car, Mario A. Saldivar-Romaro, of Rockingham, Virginia, was not injured. Saldivar-Romaro was charged with reckless driving, and additional charges are possible following consultation with the Frederick County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
The crash remains under investigation.
Drivers told News4 they were stuck in their cars for hours after the crash.
For details regarding road conditions and the detour, Virginia State Police directed motorists to contact the VDOT Staunton District.
Editor’s Note (9/11/26): The article originally stated that a Fairfax County police car was damaged. It was a Frederick County police car.
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