One dead, one injured in crashes
Published 10:32 pm Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Two different crashes on different ends of Suffolk on Wednesday killed one person, sent another man to the hospital and snarled traffic for hours.
The fatal crash occurred on Interstate 664 northbound near the College Drive exit in the late morning. It involved a white work van and a tractor-trailer, according to a news release from state police Sgt. Michelle Anaya.
Anaya stated that traffic was stopped in the northbound lanes due to a wide load escort through the tunnel. A 2006 Freightliner tractor-trailer was stopped in the lane when the driver of a 2015 Ram 1500 struck the trailer in the rear.
The driver of the Ram, Kenneth McGarrh, 50, died at the scene. Alcohol did not play a factor, and he was wearing his seatbelt, according to Anaya.
The interstate was closed for several hours while Virginia State Police investigated and the crash was cleaned up.
Later in the day, one person was injured in a crash in the 1600 block of Whaleyville Boulevard.
It was reported at 4:01 p.m. and involved a Chevrolet pickup and Chevrolet SUV, according to a city press release.
Preliminary investigation found the SUV hit the pickup and then left the roadway, rolling several times and ejecting the driver, who was the sole occupant.
The man was airlifted to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening.
The road was closed in both directions for part of the evening while police investigated and crews removed debris from the roadway.