Roanoke County, VA – Fatal Multi-Vehicle Collision on I-81 Near MM 134 Claims Life of Florida Man

Roanoke County, VA (September 11, 2023) – A multi-vehicle collision occurred on Interstate 81, near the 134-mile marker, claiming the life of a Florida man. According to the Virginia State Police, the incident occurred at 10:09 p.m. on Saturday, September 9th. The collision involved five vehicles, comprising four passenger cars and a tractor-trailer.

The sequence of events happened when a 2003 Ford Excursion, heading southbound, crossed the median and collided with a 2015 Ford Expedition, a 2022 Kia, and a 2023 Nissan. The impact caused the Excursion to roll over and ignite in flames. Subsequently, a 2022 Mark tractor-trailer struck the Kia.

The driver of the Kia was identified as Leonard John Pick, a 25-year-old resident of Palm Beach Shores, Florida. Unfortunately, due to the extensive damage to the Kia, it remains unclear whether Pick was wearing his seatbelt. Tragically, he succumbed to his injuries at the accident scene.

A female passenger in the Kia sustained life-threatening injuries and was promptly transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for urgent medical care. While there were additional injuries in the collision, the Virginia State Police trooper responding to the scene has yet to provide details on their nature.

The Crash Reconstruction Team and Commercial Motor Vehicle Team are actively involved in assisting with the investigation into this devastating incident.

Our hearts go out to the victims and their families affected by this tragic accident. We extend our deepest condolences to them during this difficult time. We hope for a quick recovery for the injured parties.