State Police investigating fatal crash in Wythe County

Virginia State PoliceFrom Virginia State Police

At 12:59 a.m. on Thursday, Virginia State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-81 more than a quarter-mile south of Route 52.

A 2011 Peterbilt tractor-trailer was traveling north on I-81 when it ran off the right side of the road and struck a 2012 Volvo tractor-trailer that was parked on the shoulder. The Peterbilt continued traveling off the roadway and overturned over the guardrail.

The driver of the Peterbilt, Isaac J. Petersheim, 28, of Lancaster, Pa., died at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the Volvo, Edward N. Opoku, 45, of Hammond, Ind., was uninjured in the crash. He was wearing a seatbelt. Opoku was charged with improper stopping on a highway (46.2-888).

The crash remains under investigation.