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Virginia State Police on Monday identified a Buxton man who died Saturday in a crash while traveling north on Interstate 81 in Augusta County, Virginia.

Mark J. Fanning, 76, was killed when a tractor-trailer merging southbound onto the highway from Interstate 64 went through a guardrail and landed in the northbound lanes of Interstate 81, police said.

The tractor-trailer, which was carrying chicken waste, hit a 2017 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck that was carrying Fanning as a passenger, according to The Northern Virginia Daily.

The pickup was driven by Fanning’s wife, Cynthia Fanning, 58, who was transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries and was listed in critical condition Monday, the Staunton News Leader reported. Both were wearing seat belts, police said.

The tractor-trailer was driven by Ronald Wegner, 59, of Broadway, Virginia, who also sustained serious injuries and was charged with reckless driving. Information about his condition was unavailable Monday.

Fanning was a renowned falconer and a beloved science teacher at Bonny Eagle High School for many years before his retirement, neighbors said.

The crash remains under investigation.

Kelley writes about some of the most critical aspects of Maine’s economy and future growth, including transportation, immigration, retail and small business, commercial development and tourism, with...

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