A North Carolina man died in a two-vehicle accident on Interstate 81 near Lexington early Saturday morning, Sept. 5.
According to the Virginia State Police, a 2016 Ford Explorer was traveling north on Interstate 81 when the vehicle struck a 2015 Freightliner tractor trailer in the rear, which was also traveling north, at 12:24 a.m. at the 189 milemarker.
The 42-year-old driver of the Ford was identified as Joseph Earl Phillips, of Charlotte, N.C. He was wearing his seatbelt and died at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
