Update 9 am: WVDOH officials confirm the scene has been cleared.
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — An early morning crash on a primary route through the Eastern Panhandle has diverted traffic for hours.
The crash was reported to Berkeley County 911 at around 1 Thursday morning. An overturned tractor trailer blocked I-81 southbound at mile marker 8. Authorities confirm the vehicle spilled fuel on the road.
Traffic was detoured onto Apple Harvest Drive at exit 12. Most motorists then used US Route 11, which runs parallel to I-81 to Virginia.
The area has seen an uptick in crashes partially due to a construction zone between the Tabler Station (exit 8) and Apple Harvest Drive (exit 12) interchanges. Crews are working to widen I-81 to three lanes in each direction.
This story will be updated.