VIRGINIA, USA — The tractor-trailer driver involved in the crash on the Capital Beltway Thursday has been given a reckless driving charge for failing to maintain control of his vehicle, a press release said.
Around 1:30 p.m. Thursday, the tractor-trailer traveling west on I-495 lost a tire and struck a vehicle in the left lane. The tractor-trailer then ran off the side of I-495 and struck the cement Jersey wall, causing the vehicle to overturn. The tractor-trailer and debris from the crash then caught fire, according to the release.
The accident caused a chain reaction of vehicles to collide — the first involved 5 vehicles, the second involved 7. The incident caused all northbound and southbound lanes of the Capital Beltway to close.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was transported to a hospital and treated for minor injuries.
A total of 7 drivers were charged with following too closely, the release said.