TRAFFIC ALERT : I-64 Reopens On Afton Mtn After Bus & Tractor Trailer Collide : Update 9:53 AM

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Photo Via Virginia State Police : The scene early Sunday morning after a commercial bus and tractor trailer collided on I-64 at the 100 MM. November 17, 2019
Photo Via Virginia State Police : The scene early Sunday morning after a commercial bus and tractor trailer collided on I-64 at the 100 MM. November 17, 2019

Afton Mountain
Mile Marker 100

By Tommy Stafford

Final update release from Virginia State Police at 9:53 AM :

“Heavy fog and icy road conditions are to blame for a two-vehicle crash on Afton Mountain early Sunday morning.

At 4:37 a.m. Sunday (Nov. 17), Virginia State Police Trooper L.G. Pingley responded to the crash in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 64 at the 100 mile marker in Nelson County at the Augusta County line.

A tractor-trailer was traveling east on I-64, when the driver lost control and the tractor-trailer overturned across the roadway. A chartered bus traveling in the eastbound lane was unable to avoid the tractor-trailer and struck it. The impact of the crash split the tractor-trailer in half. The bus ran off the right side of the highway and came to rest against the guardrail.

The Silver Lining Tours bus had a driver and more than 20 passengers on board at the time of the crash. The bus company is located out of Troy, Va. You will need to contact the company for information on the bus’ destination.

The tractor-trailer driver, James Proffitt, 44, of Suffolk, Va., was transported to UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville for treatment of serious, but non-life threatening, injuries.

The driver of the bus, Andrew L. Burruss, 62, of Keswick, Va., was also transported to UVA Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Proffitt and Burruss were among 15 individuals transported to UVA Medical Center for treatment. Four others were transported to Augusta Health Medical Center for treatment. There are no reported fatalities at this time. Injuries range from serious to minor.

The Virginia State Police Motor Carrier Safety Team responded to the scene to assist with the crash investigation. The U.S. Postal Inspector also responded to the scene since the tractor-trailer was loaded with U.S. mail.

There were at least seven other minor crashes that occurred in the eastbound lanes of I-64 immediately following the initial crash. None of those crashes involved any injuries.

Corinne N. Geller
Public Relations Director
Virginia State Police”

At 8:57 AM VSP Troopers report both directions of I-64 at MM 100 have been reopened.

Via VDOT 8:48 AM

On I-64 at mile marker 100 in the County of Albemarle, motorists can expect delays due to a tractor trailer accident. All East lanes are closed.
Last updated:
Sun 11/17/2019 8:48 AM EST

Update 7:57 AM:

VSP Troopers are allowing some EB traffic to move down the interstate now past the accident scene. Very slowly. 

Ambulances have been transporting injured from an accident involving a Silver Lining Tours bus and a tractor trailer before daylight on Afton Mountain at mile marker 100.

7:20 AM

VSP is working with VDOT to get the interstate cleared and allow salt trucks to treat the roadway before reopening to traffic.

“We responded to the accident to assist. There are more than a dozen ambulances that have made the scene so far. Augusta County is in charge of the scene,” said Curtis Sheets, Chief of Wintergreen Fire & Rescue from Nelson County.

Media release from VSP Richmond at 7:00 AM :

“At 4:37 a.m. Sunday (Nov. 17), Virginia State Police responded to a multi-vehicle crash in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 64 at the 100 mile marker. at the Augusta and Nelson County line. The crash involves a commercial bus and a tractor-trailer. At least four individuals have been transported to Augusta Medical and several other individuals have been transported to UVA Medical Center. There are no confirmed fatalities. The crash remains under investigation.

Road conditions on Afton Mountain are slick and need to be treated by VDOT. Media are advised NOT to respond to the scene as state police is trying to clear the scene and get vehicles – not involved in the crash but stopped in the lanes – moving again.

Those needing to travel via I-64 through the area are advised to find an alternate route and to monitor VDOT’s 511 for the latest on road conditions and lane openings.

Corinne N. Geller
Public Relations Director
Virginia State Police”

Icy conditions on the interstate are being reported along with numerous other unrelated accidents. Motorists have been reporting to us that Route 33 is icy as well and at least one driver said he’s been stuck in traffic there for 2.5 hours.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY remains in effect until 11AM for higher elevations in the area.

The VDOT Travel App updated as of 6:20 AM Sunday morning. November 17, 2019.

As of 6:30 AM all lanes of I-64 have been shutdown and no traffic is being allowed through.

Injured people have been transported to both Augusta Health Care in Fishersville and hospitals in Charlottesville.

Editor’s note : Any earlier references to Greyhound Bus have been removed. Earlier reports from personnel on the scene incorrectly referred to the proper bus company.

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