Date: May 27, 2025
A deadly crash involving a parked semi-truck is under investigation in Botetourt County, Virginia.
Location: I-81 Southbound, near mile marker 153
Time: Around 4:00 a.m., Monday
Agencies Involved: Virginia State Police
What Happened:
A 2022 Chevrolet Malibu left the roadway and struck a parked 2020 Freightliner on the right shoulder of I-81. The collision tragically claimed the life of the Malibu driver, 31-year-old Danielle L. St. Clair of Roanoke, Virginia. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The truck driver, 43-year-old Sylvester L. Draper of Kansas City, Missouri, was not injured.
Why It Matters:
Troopers say the semi had been stopped on the shoulder for an extended time without proper hazard signals or emergency equipment. As a result, the truck driver is now facing two charges:
- Improper stopping on a highway
- Failure to use hazard lights
Investigation Status:
The Virginia State Police are actively investigating the circumstances leading up to the crash.