Hampton Roads Winter Storm Crashes Include Fatality at Norfolk Intersection

Snow overnight Monday caused a slushy mess and a spate of Hampton Roads winter storm crashes. In the most serious incident reported on Tuesday morning, a fatality occurred at the intersection of Tidewater Drive and Widgeon Road in Norfolk. The crash took place at 6 a.m. and traffic was re-directed from Tidewater Drive. Three cars were involved according to reports. The crash was reported as black ice caused mayhem on bridges across Hampton Roads during the morning commute.

Norfolk police announced the fatal crash in a tweet but no other details were available. The wreck was reported at the Roland Park overpass on Tidewater Drive just after 6 a.m.

A preliminary investigation found the driver of a Cadillac CTS on Tidewater lost control, crossed over the median and struck a Ford Escort head-on.

Police said the driver of the Escort, 68-year-old Janis B. Neal, of Hampton, died at the accident scene. Our thoughts are with the family of Ms. Neal.

The fatal crash closed all north and southbound lanes of Tidewater Drive for several hours.

Police reported Hampton Roads winter storm crashes across the region as snow blanketed the area on Monday night.

in Southampton County, the Sheriff’s Office reported multiple crashes with injuries on U.S. Route 58, as bridges in the county froze over, reported WAVY.com. Major G.H. Drewery of the Southampton County Sheriff’s Office reported the bridges around Courtland and Franklin froze over, meaning hazardous conditions for drivers.

Many more crashes were reported on interstate highways on the Virginia Peninsula and the Southside. Stranded vehicles lined the sides of roads on Tuesday morning.

Southeastern Virginia received nearly an inch of rain throughout Monday, and the nor’easter that intensified off the North Carolina coast produced a band of extremely cold and moist air that caused about two inches of heavy, wet snow.

Virginia State Police reported the Chesapeake division, which includes seven cities and 14 counties, saw dozens of crashes. Between midnight and 9 a.m., on Tuesday state police received 92 calls for service. Officers worked 47 crashes, 12 disabled vehicles, and 33 other calls, according to spokeswoman Sgt. Michelle Anaya.

Hampton Roads winter storm crashes noted in a Virginian-Pilot report included:

• A tractor-trailer crash on I-264 westbound at Frederick Boulevard in Portsmouth closed two left lanes and blocked eastbound lanes. Cars detoured at Frederick. The tractor-trailer was reported to be on its side.
• Portsmouth saw another crash on I-264 involving multiple vehicles, near Effingham Street. The west shoulder, right and left lanes were closed.
• In Virginia Beach, at least 10 crashes were reported to police. A dispatcher told the Pilot two of the crashes occurred at the intersections of Nimmo Parkway and Holland Road and Princess Anne Road and Ferrell Parkway. Black ice was the likely culprit.

Winter weather typically causes many problems for drivers in Hampton Roads who are not experienced in driving in ice and snow. See our cold weather driving tips or call our Hampton Roads car accident injury lawyers at (757) 455-0077 if you were hurt by the actions of another driver.