SHENANDOAH COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal crash that occurred today, July 2, 2026, at approximately 3:18 a.m. on Interstate 81 northbound at the 286 mile-marker in Shenandoah County, which left the interstate closed for hours.

According to Public Relations Coordinator Matthew Demlein, the preliminary investigation indicates a 2013 Honda Crosstour was stopped in the right travel lane, possibly after becoming disabled.

The driver of the Honda, 78-year-old Dennis L. Marshall of Willow Spring, N.C., then got out of his vehicle. Marshall was reportedly standing near the front of the Honda when it was struck by a 2011 Freightliner tractor trailer. The Honda then struck Marshall, and the tractor trailer struck a bridge barrier and overturned.

Marshall died at the scene.

A passenger in the Honda, 77-year-old Barbara A. Marshall of Willow Spring, N.C., suffered injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

The driver of the tractor trailer, 53-year-old Jautar S. Dhot of Phillipsburg, N.J., suffered minor injuries.