Two people were hospitalized with serious injuries after a violent crash on Interstate 81 in Augusta County, Virginia, that ended with a tractor-trailer plunging off a bridge into the Middle River.

According to Virginia State Police, the incident occurred over the weekend when 22-year-old Mustafa B. Dogan, of Ridgefield, New Jersey, attempted to merge from the right lane to the left while driving a 2025 Honda CR-V. In doing so, he struck a 2025 Volvo VNL tractor-trailer traveling northbound in the left lane, operated by 42-year-old Arpinder S. Flora, of Gainesville, Virginia.

The collision caused both vehicles to hit a guardrail and bridge structure. The cab of the tractor-trailer separated from the trailer and fell off the bridge into the Middle River, while the trailer and the CR-V caught fire on the bridge.

Flora was ejected from the cab and suffered serious injuries. Witnesses jumped into the river to assist him before emergency responders arrived. He was later airlifted to a nearby hospital.

Dogan also sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized. He has been charged with reckless driving, according to state police.

The crash remains under investigation by the Virginia State Police.