Tractor-trailer driver arrested after crash on Roanoke Co. bridge caused miles-long delay on I-81 North

UPDATE 9:49 a.m.: According to Virginia State Police, a tractor-trailer driver was taken into custody for driving under the influence and misdemeanor hit-and-run in connection with Tuesday morning’s crash on the I-81 bridge over I-581 in Roanoke County.

Officials say the tractor-trailer ran off I-81 North and hit the bridge at mile marker 143.7, causing debris to fall onto I-581 and leaving the truck partially hanging off the bridge.

The driver of the tractor-trailer — identified by police as 50-year-old Steven P. Lender of Pennsauken, New Jersey — left the scene of the crash, but authorities found him walking north at mile marker 144 on I-81. Lender was then questioned and arrested.

Steven P. Lender. (Photo courtesy: Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office)

While there are no reports of injuries resulting from the crash, authorities say it damaged the bridge and several vehicles on I-581 that hit the fallen debris.

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UPDATE 9:01 a.m.: Nearly three hours after a tractor-trailer crashed in Roanoke County — reportedly causing the vehicle to hang off the bridge over I-581 — VDOT announced that all lanes are back open and the miles-long backup has cleared on I-81 North.

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UPDATE 7:27 a.m.: Virginia State Police released new details about the Roanoke County tractor-trailer crash causing several miles of delays on I-81 North.

At approximately 5:20 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24, police say a northbound tractor-trailer hit the bridge on I-81 as it crossed the I-581 bridge. The truck was reportedly hanging off the bridge.

While there are no reports of injuries, police tell WFXR News several vehicles have been disabled on I-581 after hitting debris from the crash.

Police say the the tractor-trailer driver left the scene of the incident, but was tracked down nearby and is being questioned by troopers.

As of this writing, VDOT says only the right shoulder is closed at mile marker 143.7 on I-81 North, but online traffic cameras show motorists backed up all the way to mile marker 138.1.

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ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — Tuesday morning motorists may need to find alternate routes through the Roanoke Valley because of a tractor-trailer crash shutting down I-81 North just past the I-581 interchange.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) says all northbound lanes are closed at mile marker 143.7 on I-81 due to the crash.