Virginia man charged in fatal 3-car crash on I-87

Authorities say William F. McAllister III was allegedly speeding at over 130 mph when the collision occurred.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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A 38-year-old man from Ringgold, Virginia has been charged with criminally negligent homicide in connection with a three-car collision on Interstate 87 in Bethlehem, Albany County last fall that killed a 63-year-old woman from Glens Falls. State Police say their investigation found that William F. McAllister III was allegedly speeding at over 130 mph when the crash happened.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of reckless driving and the devastating consequences it can have. The case raises questions about highway safety, enforcement of speed limits, and whether additional measures are needed to prevent such crashes in the future.

The details

According to State Police, the crash occurred around 4:44 p.m. on November 1 near Exit 23 in Bethlehem. McAllister's 2011 Chevrolet sedan was traveling northbound in the left lane when he tried to merge into the right lane and sideswiped a 2009 Ram pickup truck. His vehicle then veered back into the left lane and rear-ended a 2025 Chevrolet sedan, driven by 63-year-old Claudia Hargis-Grover of Glens Falls. Hargis-Grover was pronounced dead at the scene, while a passenger in her vehicle suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The driver and passenger of the pickup truck were also transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

  • The crash occurred around 4:44 p.m. on November 1, 2026.
  • McAllister was charged with criminally negligent homicide on Tuesday, February 4, 2026.

The players

William F. McAllister III

A 38-year-old man from Ringgold, Virginia who has been charged with criminally negligent homicide in connection with the fatal three-car collision.

Claudia Hargis-Grover

A 63-year-old woman from Glens Falls, New York who was killed in the crash when McAllister's vehicle rear-ended her 2025 Chevrolet sedan.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

McAllister is currently under the supervision of the Albany County Probation Department following his arraignment in Bethlehem Town Court.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of speed limits and reckless driving laws on highways to prevent such devastating crashes and protect innocent lives.