Virginia State Police investigating fatal crash in Wythe County

State Police logoVirginia State Police is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 3:03 p.m. today (Sept. 17, 2026) on Interstate 81 southbound at the 64-mile marker in Wythe County.
The preliminary investigation indicates a Jeep Compass was slowing in the left lane because of traffic when it was rear-ended at a high rate of speed by a GMC Envoy.   A juvenile passenger in the Jeep, along with three adult passengers, suffered serious injuries in the collision.  The juvenile passenger succumbed to those injuries at the hospital.  The three adult passengers’ injuries are non-life-threatening.  The juvenile was wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the GMC, Kathleen Gajewski, 69, of Plainfield, N.J., suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.  Gajewski has been charged with reckless driving.
The crash remains under investigation.
Virginia State Police was investigating a collision in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81 in the same area at the time of the fatal crash.