A sedan traveling the wrong way slammed into two cars slowing to stop for a red light in Norfolk on Friday morning, leaving the sedan's driver with life-threatening injuries and triggering road closures that rippled into the city's light-rail service. Police said officers responded to the crash at the intersection of West Brambleton Avenue and Botetourt Street around 10:20 a.m.
According to WTKR, the sedan was traveling eastbound in the westbound travel lane before its driver failed to negotiate the curve leading into the intersection. The vehicle crossed the median back into the proper travel lanes, but by then it struck two other vehicles that were slowing to stop for a red light, the station reported.
The sedan's driver and a passenger were both taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, as reported by 13News Now. The driver suffered life-threatening injuries, while the passenger's injuries were described as non-life-threatening. A driver from one of the other two vehicles involved was also transported to the hospital, per the same account, with non-life-threatening injuries. The crash involved several people.
Road Closed Amid Investigation
The crash forced a significant closure along one of Norfolk's busier corridors. WTKR reported that West Brambleton Avenue would be closed in both directions between 2nd Street and Duke Street while authorities investigated. WAVY, meanwhile, reported that Brambleton Avenue between Duke Street and 2nd Street was closed to all traffic in both directions, with detours in place. WTKR reported that police advised motorists to use an alternate route, such as Princess Anne Road.
The closure also disrupted public transit. WAVY reported that light rail services had halted between the EVMC/Fort Norfolk Station and the York Street/Freemason Station as crews worked the scene, with a van shuttle providing service between the affected stations in the meantime.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
The investigation into Friday's crash remains ongoing, with no further details released about its cause beyond the account of how the vehicles collided.
