INWOOD, W.Va. — A chain reaction crash during a sudden rain burst in Berkeley County involved six tractor trailers and a camper, but no injuries according to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, who said the Tuesday afternoon crash started with a Chevy pickup truck pulling a camper losing control and jackknifing, blocking traffic around the 7 and a half mile marker south bound.
That crash, just before 4 p.m. triggered a secondary collision involving two commercial vehicles. One was forced off the roadway and collided with another, causing disabling damage.
• Approximately 100 yards behind that collision, a third accident occurred when one commercial motor vehicle struck another from behind.
• Roughly 200 yards further back, a fourth rear-end collision involving passenger vehicles also caused disabling damage.
• A fifth rear-end accident between two commercial motor vehicles occurred near the 9 mile marker.
In total, six commercial motor vehicles and three passenger cars were involved. Two commercial motor vehicles and two passenger cars required towing. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The collisions closed Interstate 81 southbound for approximately one hour and forty-five minutes. The interstate was fully reopened at 5:41 p.m.
The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office lauded reporting deputies on the scene including Lieutenant Anaya, Lieutenant Christian, Deputy Cooper, Deputy Dunigan, and Deputy Ezell.
A number of local first responders came to the scene, as well, including Berkeley County Fire, the 167th Airlift Wing Fire Department, and the West Virginia Department of Transportation.
The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office urges motorists to use caution during sudden weather changes and to maintain safe distances between vehicles. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of deputies, first responders, and partner agencies, the disruption was minimized and the interstate was reopened safely.
