
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 29, 1995                   TAG: 9506290069
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TRUCK ACCIDENT CAUSES DIESEL FUEL, TRAFFIC MESS

A tractor-trailer traveling north on Interstate 81 lost control near the Interstate 581 exit early Wednesday, hitting a guardrail and snarling traffic for seven hours, according to state police.

Rudy L. Knight, 45, of Drayton, S.C., hit a guardrail on the right side of the road, veered back across the highway and struck a guardrail and trees on the left side, Trooper K.C. Kozar said. The 12:30 a.m. accident ruptured the tractor-trailer's fuel tank, spilling diesel fuel on the highway, Kozar said.

About a half-mile stretch of the highway was closed until 7:45 a.m., while the wreck was being cleared. Rush-hour traffic on I-581 was rerouted onto local streets.

Police charged Knight with reckless driving. Knight suffered minor injuries, Kozar said.

by CNB