Virginia State Trooper Struck by Out-of-Control Tractor-Trailer on I-95

A Virginia State Trooper was struck while outside his vehicle conducting traffic control along the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 early Wednesday morning, Virginia State Police have reported.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:18 a.m. just north of the Ladysmith Rest Area in Caroline County (near mile marker 108). State troopers were reportedly directing traffic due to high water that crossed both lanes of I-95 when a Kenworth tractor-trailer lost control as it approached the scene where troopers were stationed.

The tractor-trailer struck a Virginia State Police patrol car and then a contract worker’s pickup truck, forcing the pickup truck into trooper A.L. Benner, who toppled over the guardrail and into a grass median. The tractor-trailer then struck the guard rail on the left side of the road.

Benner was reportedly transported to MVC Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries, and was the only injured party at the scene.

The tractor-trailer was operated by Nicholas J. Coia, 67, of Florida, who was charged with reckless driving. The truck’s trailer was reportedly empty at the time of the crash.

Image credit: Virginia State Police