Ruben Valdez III Killed in Truck Accident on I-81 in Augusta County, VA
Augusta County, VA — January 9, 2023, 27-year-old Ruben Valdez III died in a collision with two commercial trucks on Interstate 81 in Augusta County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 6:00 p.m. on southbound I-81 near mile marker 223. Investigators are still putting together what happened but say Valdez was driving a Dodge Challenger south when he somehow collided with two semi-trucks, one with a flatbed trailer and the other with a box trailer. After the impact the Dodge ran off the road and hit a guardrail.
Valdez was fatally injured in the accident. No other injuries were reported.
The investigation continues. No further information is currently available.
Accidents like the one on I-81 can happen for a lot of reasons. Some might have been within the drivers' control; if someone was speeding or made an unsafe lane change, for instance, they might be considered responsible for the crash and the injuries that followed. However, many other possible factors would have been out of anyone's hands—bad road and weather conditions, vehicle malfunctions or defects, or even medical emergencies, just to name a few.
Making sure all those possibilities get appropriate attention and ensuring the crash's real explanation is found might be a long and difficult task, but it's also crucial. That young man's loved ones almost certainly have many questions that simply saying "a car and two trucks crashed somehow" won't address. I just hope authorities will diligently continue their efforts and get those people the answers they need and deserve.
