NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Two people have died following a fiery vehicle crash Monday on Interstate 64 in Newport News.
The crash happened around 6:13 p.m. on I-64 westbound near mile marker 247 near the Lee Hall/Yorktown Road exit. The driver of a 2016 Ford Econoline, according to Virginia State Police, veered from the far left lane, crossing over all lanes of traffic and drove off the interstate, striking a tree and catching fire, killing both the driver and passenger of the vehicle.
The west center lane, right lane, right shoulder and Exit 247 were closed, VDOT said, but as of 8 p.m., they had reopened, and the west Exit 247 stayed closed through mid-evening Monday. State Police said they had no further details on the crash.
VDOT traffic cameras indicated a vehicle off the side of the interstate with fire and smoke coming from it, while numerous Newport News Fire Department first responders at the scene and traffic backed up on I-64 westbound.
As of January 24th, the driver was able to be identified as 46-year-old Jeremiah Dukes, and the passenger as his wife, 44-year-old Amanda Dukes, both from White Oakes, Pennsylvania.