A semi-truck crash on Interstate 81 in Shenandoah County, Virginia, left one person injured and shut down northbound lanes for several hours Saturday afternoon.
According to the Virginia State Police, the crash occurred around 3:49 p.m. near mile marker 272. Investigators say a 2025 Peterbilt tractor-trailer was traveling northbound when a tire blew out, causing the truck to collide with a guardrail, jackknife, and catch fire. The driver, 42-year-old Giorgi Khutsishvili of Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, was seriously injured but is expected to recover. He was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the blowout and resulting fire.
Whenever I read about a semi-truck crash that begins with a tire blowout, I think about whether that tire failed because of how it was made. In my experience, these types of failures aren’t always caused by driver error or wear. Sometimes, they point to deeper issues with how the tire was manufactured, tested, or installed. That’s why a full investigation into the product itself is so important.
Could a Tire Defect Have Caused the Crash?
Tires on commercial trucks are designed to withstand extreme conditions, including heavy loads, high speeds, and long-distance travel. When one fails without warning and leads to a serious crash, investigators need to consider whether a manufacturing or design defect may have played a role.
The tire in question should be preserved and thoroughly inspected for signs of tread separation, sidewall failure, or other structural weaknesses. If the tire was relatively new and had not been improperly maintained, that may strengthen the case for a defect or production flaw.
What Evidence Should Be Reviewed?
In crashes potentially involving product defects, securing and preserving the failed tire is a top priority. Investigators should review the tire’s brand, model, and DOT identification number, which can reveal whether it was part of a broader recall or has a history of similar failures.
Along with the physical examination of the tire, maintenance records and installation history can provide important context. Data from the truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM), including speed and braking activity at the time of the blowout, may also help clarify what conditions the truck was under when the blowout occurred.
Why It’s Critical to Ask These Questions
When a tire blowout leads to a crash this severe, it’s essential to get to the root of why the tire failed in the first place. From my experience, a thorough investigation is the only way to uncover whether the crash was caused by a product failure. If the tire was defective, that needs to be identified.