Snow Plow Driver ‘Was at Fault’ over I-264 Death of Keith Shearrin from Portsmouth

Last week we reported on a tragic death in snowy conditions in which a Portsmouth man died when he hit a snow plow.

Police reported on how Keith Shearrin was killed on I-264 in Chesapeake when he hit a motor grader clearing snow. Mr. Shearrin’s car hit the plow, spun around and went into a guardrail.

It has since emerged that Virginia State Police say the operator of the motor grader was at fault in the fatal crash at the I-264 and I-664 interchange last week after snow fell in Hampton Roads.

The accident took place on February 17 around 9:40 p.m. Keith Shearrin, of Portsmouth, hit a Caterpillar motor grader. WAVY.com reported the grader that was subcontracted by VDOT to clear snow. He later died.

Sgt. Michelle Anaya of Virginia State Police said the motor grader operator “was at fault in the crash” and charges could be brought after the investigation is passed on to Chesapeake’s commonwealth’s attorney.

Lauralee Heckman of Lane Construction Corp., told WAVY the operator of the motor grader is a longtime employee of Virginia Paving Company of Norfolk.

Paula Miller, a spokeswoman for VDOT, said Virginia Paving is a subcontractor was clearing snow for the agency. She pointed out VDOT requires all contractors and the operators to go through safety training.. All equipment is also inspected by VDOT.

No further details have been revealed about this tragic crash but the fact the snow plow operator appeared to have been at-fault, means Mr. Shearrin’s family could have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the operator of the grader, or against VDOT.

Losing a loved one on the highways of Hampton Roads is heartbreaking and my thoughts are with Mr. Shearrin’s family. When the death of a loved one is caused by the negligent act of another person, the pain can be even greater.

If you have lost a family member or spouse in a preventable accident, you have a right to seek compensation for your loss. While nothing can bring your loved one back, a wrongful death lawsuit can help you provide for your family’s future and cope with the financial hardships that a death has caused.

A wrongful death lawsuit can cover medical expenses, projected future income of the deceased, funeral expenses, health insurance and loss of the value of services to a family. If you have lost a loved one, you should call Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers at 757.455.0077