Accused wrong-way driver charged

Published 8:51 pm Tuesday, July 31, 2012

A Newport News man has been charged in Suffolk with several crimes after allegedly driving the wrong way on Interstate 664.

Madden

Robert Charles Madden Jr., of Post Street, is charged in Suffolk with eight counts of hit and run and one count of reckless driving. He also faces charges in Newport News of driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, eluding police, damage to state property and felony hit and run.

According to Virginia State Police Sgt. Michelle Anaya, Madden was driving his 2006 Toyota Tacoma southbound, toward Suffolk, in the northbound lanes of the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel around 11 p.m. Monday. He allegedly struck seven vehicles, causing minor damages and no injuries.

Email newsletter signup

He then turned around in the northbound lanes and began driving the correct direction, but state troopers had caught up with him. He allegedly struck both vehicles several times, again causing minor damages and no injuries. They finally were able to stop him in Newport News near the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Dresden Drive.

A court date has not yet been set.