Smyth man killed in interstate crash

By JEFFREY SIMMONS/Staff

One lane of southbound Interstate 77 remained closed Friday morning following a fatal two-vehicle crash in Wythe County.
According to the Virginia State Police, Franklin David Greer, 52, of Chilhowie was killed at approximately 2:08 a.m. after his 2001 Volkswagen Beetle collided head-on with a tractor-trailer about four miles north of the Poplar Camp exit.
The tractor-trailer caught fire, but the driver escaped with only minor injuries, 1st Sgt. J.E. Murphy said.
Murphy said Greer was traveling north in the southbound lanes when he hit the empty fuel tanker. Although the investigation is continuing, police believe a medical condition could have contributed to the crash. Alcohol didn’t appear to play a part, Murphy said.
Both southbound lanes were blocked from 2 until 6 a.m., Murphy said. One lane was reopened at 6 a.m.
Jeffrey Simmons can be reached at 228-6611 or .