NORTON, Va. (WJHL) – One person is dead and two have been transported to hospitals after a wrong-way crash on U.S. 23 Southbound Wednesday morning involving the cab of a tractor-trailer.
According to a release from Virginia State Police, the crash occurred at the intersection of U.S. 23 and U.S. 58A at 1:04 a.m.
Norton Police Chief James Lane said when officers arrived at U.S. 23 South, they saw the crash involving the cab of a tractor-trailer occur.
The release says a 1997 International 9400 tractor-trailer cab was driving north in the southbound lanes of U.S. 23 when it hit a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze head-on.
VSP reports a passenger in the Chevrolet died at the scene. The passenger was identified as Perry S. Owens, 22, of Big Stone Gap.
The driver of the Chevrolet, Amanda Pearson, 20, of Big Stone Gap, was transported by Medflight to the Bristol Regional Medical Center with “serious injuries,” according to the release.
The driver of the tractor-trailer cab was identified as Travis Toliver, 30, of Jackson, Ohio. He was charged with driving under the influence of drugs.
VSP says the pulling unit of the 18-wheeler was not carrying any cargo.
VSP is continuing to investigate the crash.
