CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — One person has died and another person faces multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter, in connection to a crash Monday evening on Interstate 664 in Chesapeake.
Lauryn Ni’Kole Leonard, 19, died in the two-vehicle crash that took place just before 6 p.m. Monday in the southbound lanes of I-664 near South Military Highway in the Bowers Hill area.
Police said a 2000 grey Toyota Solara driven by Leonard and a 2008 red Pontiac Vibe driven by 18-year-old Elvis Cruz were traveling southbound when their vehicles made contact, causing both drivers to lose control as both drove off the road and struck the guardrail. It caused the Pontiac to overturn, State Police said.
Police said Leonard died upon impact, while Cruz was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Megan Farabaugh was Leonard’s teacher at Mack Benn Jr. Elementary in Suffolk. She said Leonard was a special girl.
“Lauren, when I had her in second grade, she had her hair and pigtails and bows, and she wore skirts with leggings and little saddle shoes, little cute socks folded over,” Farabaugh said. “She was quiet, but she was so nice to everyone. She was very smart, well-behaved, courteous, and then I had her again in fifth grade, and you know she grew out of the little skirt in the stockings in the saddle shoes, but she still had the same personality.”
Cruz has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving; fail to maintain proper control, causing death; not having a valid driver’s license; not having a valid inspection; and not having proof of insurance.
10 On Your Side requested an interview with Cruz at Chesapeake City Jail and he initially agreed. When our cameras got there, Cruz said he would only interview with a Spanish-speaking interpreter since English is not his first language. When one was found, Cruz then declined an interview.
Meanwhile, Farabaugh says she will always think of Leonard when driving through that stretch of road.
“And yesterday when I traveled home, knowing that that’s where that little girl died,” Farabaugh said, “I just had to say a prayer, and just pray for her, pray for her loved ones, her mother, her brother, her best friends. It’s horrible.”
Police are encouraging any witnesses who may have seen either vehicle prior to the crash to contact State Police at 804-750-8788 or via email at question@vsp.virginia.gov.