Vehicle pulled from the water after crash sends it over MMMBT; one person dead

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A two-vehicle crash on the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel (MMMBT) sent one of the vehicles off of the bridge span and into the water below, Virginia State Police (VSP) said. A Florida man died in the accident.

The crash happened shortly before 7 a.m. on Interstate 664. VSP said a 2011 Chevy Traverse was driving southbound in the right lane when it attempted to make a lane change, hitting a 2005 Dodge Durango in the left lane. The Traverse then spun and went over the bridge wall and into the water below.

North and southbound lanes saw various lane closures in the hours that followed, but shortly after 3 p.m., the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said all lanes had reopened, but drivers could still expect residual backups.

The Suffolk Department of Fire & Rescue wrote on Facebook that its crews and the Newport News Fire Department responded to the crash. VSP also said Suffolk emergency responders located the vehicle in the water, but due to currents and the wind, were initially unable to recover it. 

"The river, the water, the wind: it all presents its own challenges," said Demitri Wilson, Assistant Chief for Suffolk Fire Rescue. "It's very, very rough out there, but eventually we will get the car out."

Crews began a second recovery attempt at 2 p.m., and are working to secure cables around the vehicle to bring it out of the water. About a half hour later, crews were able to successfully remove it and bring it back onto the bridge.

In a post on social media, the Newport News Fire Department said, "This tragic accident resulted in a loss of life." 

VSP confirmed the driver of the Traverse, Daniel Irizarry — a 55-year-old man from Orlando, Florida and Hampton — died in the crash. No one else was in the vehicle, and police said there was no structural damage to the bridge-tunnel.

While Virginia State troopers are leading the investigation into the crash itself, Hampton Roads leaders are urging drivers to stay vigilant while crossing any bridges or tunnels.

"There was a lot of traffic on the road this morning, it was slippery, it was dark, it rained all night," said Wilson. "So just stay aware, there is no destination that is worth your life or your safety."

For the latest road conditions across Hampton Roads, visit 13News Now's Traffic page.

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