PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Three people are facing charges after a motorcyclist died as a result of a crash at the Midtown Tunnel.
The crash shut down traffic for several hours on Tuesday while police investigated.
Detective Boykin with Chesapeake Police says that just before 5 p.m. they tried to stop a vehicle in the city. The vehicle refused to stop and got onto Route 164 toward the Midtown Tunnel.
Near the tunnel, that vehicle struck the motorcyclist in the rear. The vehicle then kept moving and stopped just before the tunnel’s entrance.
All three men in the vehicle got out and ran, with the driver getting picked up by another vehicle. The two other passengers were taken into custody and later identified as 19-year-old Deamon Richardson and 22-year-old Kei-Airra King.
Chesapeake Police said Richardson is charged with possession of marijuana, obstruction of justice and leaving the scene of an accident. King is charged with obstruction of justice and leaving the scene of an accident.
The driver, 18-year-old De’monta Johnson, was taken into custody by Chesapeake Police. He is charged with for felony eluding and multiple traffic infractions.
The chase and crash involving the motorcyclist are under investigation by Portsmouth Police. Eastbound lanes at the Midtown Tunnel reopened just after 9 p.m.
The identity of the victim has not been released.
Check back for any updates.
