Trooper recovering after I-81 tractor trailer crash in Montgomery Co.

7:02 p.m. Monday

MONTGOMERY CO. - State Police just sent out an update to the case.

In a news release, State Police say Senior Trooper Kozar leapt over a guardrail to avoid being hit by the tractor trailer. First Sgt. Paul Watts, Area Commander for the Salem Field Office, says, "Despite the steep terrain and muddy area below, several citizens jumped over the guardrail after Trooper Kozar to make sure he was okay. We sincerely thank them for their quick and selfless actions.”

Investigators say the tractor trailer driver, Enrique Gonzalez, told them around 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, he tried to change lanes on Interstate 81 when the traffic ahead of him slowed down. However, when Gonzalez went to change lanes, the traffic in the other lane slowed down as well. The tractor trailer then swerved back to the right, and went onto the shoulder of the highway. Gonzalez then lost control, hit the guardrail, and flipped the truck on the passenger side.

The tractor trailer slid several feet down the shoulder, and hit the back of Trooper Kozar's patrol cruiser. Kozar jumped over the guardrail, and fell down a steep embankment to escape being hit.

An abulance took Trooper Kozar to Carilion New River Valley Medical Center, where he was treated.

State Police charged Gonzalez with reckless driving and failure to maintain control.

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7:55 a.m.

Both lanes of I-81 northbound in Montgomery Co. are open to traffic.

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4:17 a.m. Monday

A detour at exit 118 is no longer in place.

Traffic is moving slowly through the one northbound lane.

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11:53 p.m.

State Police say one lane is now open on I-81 northbound, near mile marker 126 in Montgomery Co.

Investigators say Senior Trooper Kenneth Kozar was patrolling Montgomery County around 7:00 p.m. Sunday.

Trooper Kozar stopped to pick up tire debris on the road and saw a tractor trailer driving out of control.

That's when Trooper Kozar ran over the embankment and rolled down a hill.

The tractor trailer overturned and slid into Trooper Kozar's car.

The truck was filled with 30,000 pounds of produce.

There is no information at this time on the driver of the tractor trailer.

Trooper Kozar went to the New River Valley Medical Center for treatment and is expected to be ok.

Drivers can expect delays for several hours.

A detour is in place at exit 118 northbound in Christiansburg.

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10:23 p.m. Sunday

Part of Interstate 81 in Montgomery County is closed Sunday night because of a tractor-trailer accident.

A tractor-trailer has overturned in the right northbound lane of I-81 around 7:00 p.m. near mile marker 126. The right and left lanes are closed.

Traffic is backed up about eight miles because of the accident.

A detour is being set up at exit 118C.