SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A woman was killed in a Spotsylvania crash earlier this week involving three tractor-trailers and a sedan. The crash happened on Wednesday morning and shut down all lanes for several hours.
Virginia State Police is still investigating the crash that happened at 5:11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 20 along I-95 south.
Authorities said a 2005 Honda Accord was traveling south on I-95 when it ran off the left side of the roadway and collided with a guardrail. The impact sent the sedan back across all three travel lanes where it then struck a 2012 Volvo tractor-trailer that was parked on the right southbound shoulder.
The front seat passenger, Lajuanna M. Morton, 34, got out of the car holding a 3-year-old girl, VSP said. As they were standing in the travel lane they were struck by a 2022 Kenworth tractor-trailer.
The impact of that crash caused the 2022 Kenworth tractor-trailer to collide with another southbound tractor-trailer, VSP said. Both tractor-trailers came to rest against the guardrail.
Morton, of Baltimore, MD., died at the scene. The 3-year-old suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Mary Washington Hospital. A 16-year-old girl that was in the Honda was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
State police said none of the tractor-trailer drivers was injured in the crash.
The driver of the Honda, Anthony D. George, 43, of Baltimore, Md., suffered minor injuries in the crash and was taken to Mary Washington Hospital for treatment. He was wearing a seatbelt.
Police have charged George with one felony count of possession of a controlled schedule I/II drug, one misdemeanor count of DUI, one misdemeanor count of no valid driver’s license, and one traffic infraction for expired registration. He is being held at the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.
The horrid situation is a reminder to others who may be involved in a future wreck. Morgan Dean with AAA says think before you act after a crash. “I think if someone has been in a crash, they could be a situation where they are dazed, they are a little bit confused. Pause for that moment, take a breath. Don’t immediately open the door and step out because that could be in to traffic and that is a very very scary place to be no matter what speed you’re talking about,” Dean said.
Officials say after a crash, first determine if anyone is hurt. Call the police. Then, get yourself and your vehicle out of danger. Dean said sometimes, exiting a vehicle is the safest call. However, only do that after surveying the situation.
“Make yourself as visible as possible. Put on those hazard lights, put something hanging out your window if you have to,” he said.
He added that drivers passing by wrecks should not forget they are legally required to move over and give other cars plenty of space.
