Update: Two Killed in Fiery I-81 Crash Near Exit 310 in Frederick County

Two men were killed Thursday night in a fiery crash on Interstate 81 near Exit 310 in Frederick County after a tractor-trailer crossed the median and struck a northbound truck carrying oxygen tanks, according to Virginia State Police.

The crash happened at approximately 8:10 p.m. Sept. 10 on I-81 near the Winchester area.

According to the preliminary investigation, a passenger car was attempting to enter Interstate 81 southbound from an on-ramp and failed to yield to traffic. The car crossed two lanes and struck a tractor-trailer traveling southbound.

The impact sent the tractor-trailer off the left side of the interstate, through the median and into the northbound lanes, where it collided with a truck carrying oxygen tanks.

The collision sparked a fire, and the oxygen tanks exploded, State Police said.

The blasts were strong enough to damage a Frederick County Sheriff’s Office vehicle as well as another vehicle parked in a lot east of the interstate.

The deputy whose vehicle was damaged was not injured.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Russell R. Haskins, 64, of Altavista, Virginia, died at the scene.

The driver of the truck carrying the oxygen tanks, Jeffrey J. Hudnell, 52, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, suffered serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital. He later died from those injuries.

The driver of the passenger car, Mario A. Saldivar-Romaro of Rockingham, Virginia, was not injured.

State Police charged Saldivar-Romaro with reckless driving. Additional charges are possible following consultation with the Frederick County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

The crash created a complicated scene involving vehicles on both sides of the interstate, fire and exploding oxygen tanks.

Investigators said the chain of events began when the passenger car entered the southbound lanes and struck the tractor-trailer. That truck then crossed the median before colliding with the northbound vehicle carrying oxygen.

The resulting fire and explosions added another hazard for emergency personnel responding to the scene.

State Police did not provide additional details about the type of passenger vehicle involved or whether any other motorists were hurt.

The agency also did not say how long the interstate was affected following the crash.

The deaths of Haskins and Hudnell make the collision a double-fatal crash investigation.

Virginia State Police said the investigation remains ongoing.

Because the investigation is still active, the circumstances described by police remain preliminary and could change as investigators continue reviewing evidence and consult with prosecutors.

Anyone facing criminal charges is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

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