Wreck burns Escalade

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

A trailer loaded with $200,000 worth of paintball supplies was saved Sunday night but the Cadillac Escalade pulling it was destroyed by fire. The incident occurred around 8:35 p.m. in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81 a mile from Exit 70 near the Wytheville Commons shopping center.
According to Wytheville Fire Chief Ronnie King, the Escalade was pulling a steep grade when the driver noticed smoke coming from beneath the hood. The man and three passengers exited the vehicle just before the gas tank exploded.
“There was a lot of fire on the interstate,” noted King, who said three fire trucks from the Wytheville Fire Department had to back up the interstate to reach the scene. “We were able to unhook the trailer and pull it away from the burning vehicle.”
The southbound lanes were closed for approximately 45 minutes. Firefighters were on the scene for an hour and a half.
King reported the Escalade and trailer were headed from Indiana to a paintball competition in Florida. He estimated damage to the Escalade at $40,000.
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or .