A chemical spill closed down a section of Interstate 77 in Wythe County near the Bland County line Tuesday afternoon after a tractor-trailer carrying acetone was stuck by a car.

The tractor-trailer, which was carrying 3,200 gallons of the flammable liquid, was traveling in a southbound lane when a Toyota Camry slammed into its side and broke a tank valve, releasing the acetone, said Sgt. Mike Conroy of the Virginia State Police. Both southbound lanes and one northbound lane were closed after the accident about 3 p.m., though southbound traffic was detoured onto the shoulder and continued moving. Lanes remained closed into the evening as hazardous materials teams worked to clean up the spill.

Conroy said he did not know how much acetone - a liquid used to make plastic and to dissolve other substances - leaked from the tractor-trailer because it evaporates quickly.

The driver and one passenger in the Camry suffered minor injuries, Conroy said.

- Joe Eaton