A three-car crash claimed the lives of two people along Interstate 264 last Wednesday not far from Oceanfront. Following the collision, police shut down the interstate for hours during the middle of rush-hour traffic causing massive delays.
The collision happened when a vehicle traveling eastbound drove across the grassy median into oncoming westbound traffic at approximately 7:40 a.m. close to the Birdneck Road exit. The out-of-control vehicle struck two oncoming cars, police say.
The collision resulted in the closure of some eastbound lanes of traffic and all westbound lanes for almost four hours. The closure period extended from the time of the crash until 11:30 a.m.
The out-of-control vehicle was a Ford Taurus operated by a 61-year-old man from Virginia Beach. After crossing the median, the vehicle struck a Toyota Corolla operated by a 53-year-old woman. Then it struck a Suzuki Sidekick operated by a 23-year-old man. Sadly, the 23-year-old man and the 61-year-old man didn’t survive the accident.
A similar accident happened last December at nearly the same place. A westbound minivan crossed the grassy median into eastbound traffic. Two people died in that collision and six people suffered injuries.
Interstate 264 in this area close to Oceanfront doesn’t have guardrails or concrete barriers to protect the opposite lanes of traffic in some parts. This fact begs the question: Could this car accident have been saved if the guardrails were present, or do the guardrails represent more risk than the potential benefit? If a theory can be drawn up to support that the city was negligent in failing to put up guardrails, then family members of the deceased might wish to pursue financial claims against the city, the estate of the driver who caused the accident, and potentially any other liable parties that can be identified.
Source: Pilot Online, “2 who died and 1 injured in crash that shut down I-264 West in Virginia Beach identified,” Jane Harper, Aug. 16, 2017