UPDATE
As of 11:30 a.m., the interstate is still closed from exit 162 to 168 according to Virginia State Police.
Authorities say crews are working to remove the two tractor-trailers involved in the crash, and the road is expected to reopen around noon.
Traffic is currently backed up to northbound exit 156, and drivers are asked to avoid the area.
According to police, the first tractor-trailer was going north on I-81 around just before 2:15 a.m. when it ran off the left side of the road, hit a guardrail, overturned and blocked the highway.
Authorities say two minutes later, the second tractor-trailer hit the first tractor-trailer, which was on its side with no visible lights.
The drivers of both tractor-trailers died, and one passenger has non-life-threatening injuries, according to state police.
UPDATE
Two people are dead after a tractor-trailer crash on I-81 in Botetourt County Thursday morning, according to Virginia State Police.
Authorities say the crash involving two tractor-trailers happened around 2:20 a.m. at the 167 mile marker.
As of 7:30 a.m., traffic is being detoured off I-81 at the 162 exit.
According to police, the crash reconstruction team is on-site working to determine what caused the crash.
ORIGINAL STORY
A tractor-trailer crash has closed down I-81N in Botetourt County, according to the Virginia Dept. of Transportation.
Authorities say the crash happened near mile marker 167 and that traffic is backed up for about one mile.
Stay with 10 News for updates on this breaking news story.
Source: WSLS News 10
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