Explosion on I-95 triggers hours-long backup as Thanksgiving travel builds
VENN
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A fiery crash and explosion on Interstate 95 in Chesterfield County Tuesday morning left one man injured and shut down traffic for hours, stretching well into the evening.
Virginia State Police said the crash happened around 6:46 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25 near the Route 288 exit. A tanker tractor-trailer carrying lime ran off the southbound lanes, crossed over the jersey wall and burst into flames.
Video from the scene showed a blast that spanned the width of the roadway.
"It’s very dramatic when you see the explosion across the entire roadway," said AAA Mid-Atlantic Spokesperson Morgan Dean.
(Photos: VDOT)
(Photos: VDOT)
(Photos: VDOT)
(Photos: VDOT)
With Thanksgiving travel already ramping up, Dean said crashes aren’t unusual during the holiday rush. He said Tuesday and Wednesday are among the busiest travel days of the season.
"[Drivers should be] protecting yourself, being focused and being as safe as possible," Dean said. "In the video, it appears some of the drivers are stopping pretty quickly and seem to be doing some of the right kinds of things."
The truck’s driver, a 38-year-old man from Maryland, suffered minor injuries and is expected to recover. Police said they have charged him with reckless driving.
(Courtesy of Chesterfield Fire and EMS)
(Courtesy of Chesterfield Fire and EMS)
(Courtesy of Chesterfield Fire and EMS)
(Courtesy of Chesterfield Fire and EMS)
(Courtesy of Chesterfield Fire and EMS)
(Courtesy of Chesterfield Fire and EMS)
(Courtesy of Chesterfield Fire and EMS)
(Courtesy of Virginia State Police)
(Courtesy of Virginia State Police)
(Courtesy of Virginia State Police)
"If you’re near a tanker and notice it starting to have issues, you want to slow down, change lanes and give them [the driver] space to manage whatever’s happening," Dean said.
The crash caused backups for miles and left portions of the Interstate congested for at least eight hours.
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"If your GPS says it needs to reroute you, it’s likely responding to a long-term closure or shutdown," Dean said.
Virginia State Police continues to investigate the cause of the crash.
