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UPDATED: Virginia man dies in early-morning crash on I-75 Monday
Posted On 03 Oct 2011
A Virginia man died after going the wrong direction down I-75 early Monday morning and striking a semi head-on a few miles south of Corbin.
Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley pronounced the Robert Richard Green Jr., 48, of Front Royal, dead at the scene about 5:15 a.m. from multiple injuries sustained during a motor vehicle accident. He died instantly.
No autopsy has been ordered, but toxicology tests will be performed to determine if there was any drug or alcohol involvement.
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer Steve Douglas said there were no obvious signs of any drug or alcohol involvement, and there are no other known contributing factors that led to the crash.
Green apparently got on I-75 at Exit 29 in a red Ford F-150 pick-up truck with temporary Virginia tags going south in the northbound lane. Police started getting reports about a vehicle going the wrong direction when it was at the 28-mile marker.
"About 4:40 a.m., we began getting complaints about a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lane. Just a few minutes later, we received a call that vehicle had collided with a tractor-trailer at the 21-mile marker," Douglas said.
Whitley County Emergency Management Director Danny Moses said that the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department and Williamsburg Police Department were sending officers trying to intercept the man and they were at the 18-mile marker when the crash occurred three miles north of them.
"This is probably one of the worst mangled vehicles that I have seen in some time. It really took a hard lick," Moses said.
Steven Babbs, 34, of Birmingham, Alabama, was driving a semi belonging to UPS Freight out of Richmond, Va. He was hauling a load of kitchen appliances and plumbing hardware from Fort Payne, Alabama, to Lexington when the wreck happened.
Babbs was able to exit the vehicle on his own.
Whitley County EMS transported him to Baptist Regional Medical Center where he was treated for minor injuries, Douglas said.
The semi sustained severe damage, and the pick-up truck was totaled in the collision.
Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department extricated Green’s body from his vehicle about 7:40 a.m.
It might never be known why the victim got on I-75 going the wrong way, Croley noted.
The only occupants in either vehicle were the drivers, who were both wearing seatbelts.
Whitley County Volunteer Fire Department and Williamsburg Fire Department helped reroute traffic off of I-75 at Exit 15 for several hours while Eco Tech cleaned up a nearly 100-gallon diesel fuel spill, and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement reconstructed the accident.
The northbound lanes of travel reopened about 11:10 a.m.
Babbs will be cited for a logbook violation, Douglas said.
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Praise The Lord!! Robert my best friend would always say that everytime we talked. He loved Jesus so much and always was ready to pray if you needed. We worked at his dealersdhip Victory Sales and Mannatech. I miss you Friend.See you in hevan.
Thats good, your blog is cool, i like it. Thanks for the efforts my friend.
I worked with Robert in the automobile business in Colorado. I always admired him for the love he had for his family and The Lord. Rest in Peace,
Robert.
I worked with Robert in the Auto business and we had became good friends. We are so sorry for the loss to his family and our thoughts and prayers are with his Family.
Robert and Becky were friends from Austin Tx to Ft Collins CO. We worked in the Auto business for years together. He and Becky were at my sons first birthday. I have tried to contact all the past people
we have worked with. What a loss to us but a gain for our Lord. Miss ya brother
Wow. We are without words….
He isn’t gone; Robert is walking on streets of gold, singing and dancing in the very presence of the Lord. Miss you, Brother. Rebecca and kids – we love you!
Hello-
We went to school with a Robert Green (Class of 81)? Was wondering, is this him? I thought the Robert Green that graduated in 81 didn’t live around Front Royal, but use to.,
My heart goes out to Robert’s family as well as the poor truck driver and his family. Prayers are with you all!!!
Robbie is my cousin. I saw him last a couple of months ago at Douglas’ wedding,his brother. I had talked to him a couple of times since then on the phone. He ended every conversation with this, “I’ll see you soon, here or in heaven.” Robbie is not gone, he’s just somewhere else. A place better than this!! I luv ya, Robbie. I’ll see you soon, in heaven!
Tom
This was my dear cousin…… I will never forget him. we grew up seeing each other almost every weekend in san antonio… My dad would never fail to make a visit to my Aunt lois house. You will be miss greatly. I will see you when i get there “Save a place for me” Love Jannett
Robert was a dear friend of ours. Our hearts are sadder than words can express. Robert loved Jesus and we will see him again in Heaven; this is our comforting hope. We will miss you, our much loved friend! Please pray for his amazing family.