Many of our West Virginia readers have no doubt driven Interstate 64 through the state of Virginia. Unfortunately, that highway was the scene of a multi-vehicle fatal accident on Aug. 6 in Albemarle County near Keswick. The crash, which occurred just after 11 a.m., involved two tractor-trailers and several other vehicles. Two people were killed and two others suffered injuries. The horrific accident caused the westbound lanes of I-64 to be shut down until about 3 p.m.
State police say that an earlier accident on the I-64 further ahead had caused traffic in the westbound lanes to slow. Unfortunately, according to authorities, a flatbed tractor-trailer driver failed to stop behind the slowed traffic and hit a Nissan Pathfinder. The Pathfinder in turn hit a Lincoln Towncar. A Chevrolet Suburban was also pushed off the road, where it overturned. It struck another tractor-trailer.
Meanwhile, police say the Towncar was hit once more — this time by the flatbed truck. The Towncar caught fire, and the 70-year-old woman behind the wheel was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other fatally-injured person was a man riding in the backseat of the Suburban. He was thrown from the vehicle when it turned over. He was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Another passenger in the Suburban was taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center. She had only minor injuries. The driver was uninjured.
The 24-year-old driver of the Pathfinder was also taken to UVA Medical Center. She was reported to have suffered serious injuries.
Police say that neither of the tractor-trailer drivers was injured. However, the 50-year-old man who was driving the flatbed truck has been charged with reckless driving. He could face additional charges as the investigation into the crash continues.
Tragic car accidents can happen in an instant but for injured victims and surviving family members, the emotional, physical and financial consequences can last for a very long time. They have every right to seek financial compensation from anyone they determine to be at fault. If criminal charges are also brought against an at-fault driver, that legal action can help plaintiffs and their attorneys. However, civil cases sometimes proceed even while an investigation is still ongoing and despite the criminal penalties eventually faced by a driver.
Source: NBC, “UPDATE: Two Dead after Multi-Vehicle Crash on I-64” Aug. 06, 2014