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ALBERTA, Brunswick County, Va., Sept. 26, 2026 — A Henrico County sheriff's deputy and an inmate were hospitalized on Friday morning, September 25, after a multi-vehicle crash on I-85 southbound in Brunswick County. A second crash at the same scene left another person with life-threatening injuries.
Both crashes happened near mile marker 34 on I-85 southbound, with the first reported around 11:10 a.m. A state trooper was escorting a wide load and had activated emergency lights ahead of a crossover turn. A blue Volvo behind the trooper began to slow, but a gray Kia further back reportedly did not, troopers said.
The Kia swerved to avoid the Volvo and struck a Henrico County Sheriff's Office vehicle that was transporting an inmate. It then struck the rear of the Volvo and the rear of the state police vehicle, according to the report. The deputy and the inmate were taken to a hospital with injuries described as possibly minor, while the trooper was not hurt.
A second crash followed at the scene. State police said a vehicle had pulled up to collect the Kia's driver when another vehicle struck it. A person standing outside the vehicle was hit and airlifted with life-threatening injuries, according to troopers. A second occupant reportedly suffered minor injuries. Virginia State Police continue to investigate both crashes.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
When Multi-Vehicle Pileups on Interstates Like I-85 Tend to Happen
Chain-reaction crashes on interstates usually start with one vehicle slowing for a hazard, a stopped car, an emergency vehicle, or a wide load, while traffic behind keeps closing the gap. Midday and early afternoon hours carry heavy commercial and commuter traffic, which raises the odds that one driver's late reaction turns into several vehicles colliding within seconds.
Weekday mornings and early afternoons, like the hour this crash occurred, see steady truck and passenger traffic mixing at highway speeds. Any slowdown, whether from construction, a traffic stop, or an escorted oversize load, forces sudden braking that following drivers do not always anticipate in time.
Secondary crashes, like the one that followed at this scene, are a separate and well-documented risk. Once a first collision blocks or narrows a lane, arriving vehicles and bystanders near the shoulder face a second wave of danger from traffic that hasn't yet adjusted to the scene ahead.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 6,138,359 police-reported traffic crashes occurred in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a car accident?
Move to a safe location if possible, check for injuries, call 911, and wait for law enforcement to arrive and document the scene. Avoid discussing fault with other drivers.
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
A large share occur on interstates and other high-speed roads, particularly where traffic slows unexpectedly, such as near work zones, stopped vehicles, or emergency responses.
How can drivers reduce their crash risk?
Keeping a longer following distance, staying alert for brake lights ahead, and slowing early when emergency lights are visible can help drivers avoid chain-reaction crashes.
What injuries are most common in car accidents?
Common injuries include whiplash, bruising, cuts from broken glass, and in more serious crashes, broken bones or head injuries. Severity depends heavily on speed and impact type.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Alberta, VA
If you're involved in or witness a multi-vehicle crash, stay as far from moving traffic as safety allows and turn on hazard lights. Even if injuries seem minor at first, a medical check is worth it, since adrenaline can mask pain from impacts like whiplash or internal bruising.
Cooperate with responding troopers or deputies and get a copy of the incident report once it's available. If you were a passenger, bystander, or secondary driver involved in a follow-up collision, note what you saw as soon as you can, since these details usually matter later for insurance or investigative purposes.
