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Breaking News

Virginia: More than 100 Vehicles Collide in Massive Pileup on I-95

Aired February 22, 2001 - 3:15 p.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: And we have some live pictures to show you. It might seem unremarkable: a rush hour in the's nation's capital. But this is what it looks like.

And because of the weather, this promises to be an especially horrendous rush hour, because of a car wreck -- or -- a car wreck involving more than 100 vehicles in suburban Virginia -- Aquia, Virginia.

And we have Lieutenant A.J. Anderson of the Virginia State Police on the line with us.

Tell us about the accident first, Lieutenant. What is in the heck is going on?

LT. A.J. ANDERSON, VIRGINIA STATE POLICE: Well, we were experiencing heavy snow at the time this crash occurred this afternoon, around 1:15. And we got the report of a multivehicle crash down on the southbound side of I-95, as you say, in Aquia, Virginia.

It's been reported 116 vehicles involved; 12 to 14 of those involved tractor trailers. And one of those two of those have burned up in this particular crash. We have reports of injuries. All of the injuries have been transported to local hospitals. And, fortunately, at this time, we don't have any reports of any fatalities.

WATERS: We always wonder when we hear about this many vehicles involved in one accident, how in the world it could happen. Is it a blinding kind of snow burst?

ANDERSON: Well, it was pretty heavy snow at the time. And in this particular area, the roadway itself involved a grade, if you will. It's not flat, level land. So, apparently, this was a chain- reaction crash. We really don't have the cause per se of the crash at this time.

WATERS: I assume you're still working on it. And we're seeing these automobiles attempting to get out of Washington now. What kind of a situation do you expect for these drivers this afternoon?

ANDERSON: Well, the I-95 southbound is going to be closed for quite a few more hours until we can get this roadway cleaned up. We are asking all motorists to take alternative routes if they can, Route 1 or some of the interstates in the general vicinity.

WATERS: What is involved in clearing this up? Do you have to get some heavy equipment in there?

ANDERSON: We have got getting heavy tractor trailers coming in to move the tractor trailers. We also have numerous wreckers from surrounding certain jurisdictions coming in to help us tow those cars out of the way. Of course, we have maintain the identity of those vehicles and who they belong to so that the owners can, you know, pick them up at a later time.

WATERS: All right, Lieutenant, good luck with that -- Lieutenant A.J. Anderson with the Virginia State Police. That have got quite a mess to clear up this afternoon. How long it will take them is anybody's guess: heavy equipment being moved in to move out the tractor trailers. What did he say: 12 to 14 tractor trailers, 116 vehicles in all? Holy mackerel.

NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR: What a mess. And we will continue to follow it for you. And we are all glad we are tucked inside. Our feelings to the folks who have to drive home from there today.

WATERS: Absolutely. Good luck to you.

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