News Summary
A heartbreaking incident on Interstate 64 resulted in the death of a 5-year-old girl after a multi-vehicle crash. The collision involved several vehicles and led to the child being ejected from her seat. The ongoing investigation is looking into speeding as a critical factor in the tragic accident, which left the community mourning and highlighted the importance of child safety in vehicles.
Newport News, Virginia – A tragic multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 64 resulted in the death of a 5-year-old girl on June 20. The Virginia State Police confirmed that the accident occurred at approximately 8:57 p.m. between mile markers 249 and 250, near Fort Eustis Boulevard.
The crash involved several vehicles and prompted the closure of both eastbound and westbound lanes for over four hours. Traffic was finally reopened around 1:21 a.m. on June 21, allowing vehicles to resume their journeys.
According to reports, the driver of a Dodge Durango, identified as 45-year-old Willie I. Greene, was traveling at a high rate of speed when he collided with a 2022 Hyundai Sonata. The force of the impact caused the Sonata to lose control and veer off the road onto the westbound shoulder. After hitting the Sonata, Greene’s vehicle swerved into the oncoming westbound traffic, sideswiping a 2021 Toyota Tacoma before colliding head-on with a Nissan Altima driven by 39-year-old Tonya Colis.
Colis’s vehicle contained her 5-year-old child, who was reported to be improperly restrained in the car seat at the time of the collision. Tragically, the child was ejected from the seat upon impact. Following the crash, all individuals involved, with the exception of the Tacoma driver, were transported to the hospital for medical treatment.
The injured child was taken to the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, where she sadly succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday afternoon, June 21. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident, and speeding has been identified as a significant contributing factor. Charges against Greene are currently pending as the situation develops.
Fortunately, the occupants of the Toyota Tacoma were unharmed during the crash. The accident highlights the potential dangers of reckless driving and the importance of ensuring that children are properly secured in vehicles.
This incident marks another somber reminder of the critical need for responsible driving practices on the roads, aimed at protecting all road users, especially vulnerable passengers such as children. The aftermath of this crash has left the community reeling, particularly for the family who has lost a young life under such tragic circumstances.
The Virginia State Police encourages all drivers to adhere to speed limits and to practice safe driving behaviors to prevent such incidents in the future. The agency is investigating the circumstances of the crash and will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
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Additional Resources
- WTKR: 5-Year-Old Dies After I-64 Crash
- Wikipedia: Traffic Collision
- Wavy: Off-Duty Nurse Performs CPR
- Google Search: Multi-Vehicle Crash Newport News
- 13 News Now: Child Passes Away After Crash
- Google Scholar: Reckless Driving
- Pilot Online: Multi-Vehicle Crash Report
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Car Safety
- Wavy: Life-Threatening Injuries from Crash
- Google News: Newport News Traffic Accidents
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