Pickup driver killed after colliding with illegally parked semi truck, police say

Authorities in Virginia say that a man was killed this morning in a three vehicle crash.

The crash occurred around 5:15 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29, in Botetourt County, Virginia.

According to Virginia State Police, a pickup truck struck a semi truck that was parked illegally on the right shoulder of southbound I-81 at mile marker 158.

After striking the parked semi, the pickup veered back into the active lanes of I-81, where it was hit by a second semi truck.

The pickup driver was transported to the hospital, where he later passed away from his injuries.

No other major injuries were reported.

Local news outlet WFXR reports that the truck driver later told police he had parked on the shoulder of the interstate to sleep.

Virginia State Police Sgt. Richard Garletts said that the truck driver received four citations for various violations including illegal parking and failing to use fluorescent traffic warning devices to let other drivers know he was parked on the shoulder.

The crash caused serious traffic delays, but all lanes of I-81 have reopened.