Virginia State Police investigate fatal crash in Wythe County

State Police logoWYTHE- Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal single vehicle crash that occurred Thursday (Oct. 29, 2026) at 7:33 p.m. on Interstate 81 at the 68-mile marker in Wythe County.

 

A 2000 GMC C7 truck was travelling northbound on Interstate 81 when a tire blew out, causing the truck to go off the road and into the median.  The truck then crossed the southbound lanes on Interstate 81 and overturned.  It also struck a guardrail and went over the embankment, coming to rest along some trees.

 

The driver of the truck, Bruce A. Layman, 60, of Wirtz, Va., died at the scene.  Layman was wearing a seatbelt.

 

The crash remains under investigation.