VSP: Loose tire contributes to fatal Interstate 81 crash

A Florida driver has been charged with defective equipment by the Virginia State Police after a fatal accident on Interstate 81.

The agency report said a tire from the trailer the Florida driver’s was towing headed southbound came off and struck an SUV driven northbound by Ericka Payne, 44, of Irvington, New Jersey. Payne’s vehicle crossed traffic, hit two guardrails, then stopped after it went up and down an embankment near mile marker 33 in Washington County.

Payne later died of her injuries. The crash remains under review.