News

Actions

Police: Speeding, texting while driving likely contributed to deadly accident

Posted at 5:50 AM, Jan 23, 2012
and last updated 2012-02-26 12:40:33-05

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - The Richmond Police Department has released the identities of the persons involved in Saturday's afternoon crash deadly traffic accident on Chippenham Parkway.

Two people were killed in a head-on collision along Chippenham Parkway in South Richmond.

The driver of the northbound vehicle, Toure Lynette Thaniel, 27, and the passenger, Shalina Marie Perry, 22, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Thaniel lived in the 6000 block of Lamar Drive. Perry lived in the 3400 block of Meadowdale Boulevard in Chesterfield County.

The driver of the southbound vehicle was taken to VCU Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition.

Police said that around 4:35 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21, a vehicle headed north on Chippenham Parkway crossed over the median and into on-coming traffic.

The vehicle was hit by another vehicle heading south on Chippenham.

The driver and a passenger in the car that crossed the median were killed in the crash.

The accident happened at the Stony Point exit just south of the Willey Bridge.

The northbound and southbound lanes of Chippenham Parkway at the Stony Point exit were closed for about four hours, to allow police to investigate the crash.

Police on the scene said that it appeared that a combination of speeding and texting while driving contributed to the crash. Police added,though, that they are still investigating.

There were no other people in the other vehicle, according to police. The driver of the southbound vehicle was taken to VCU Medical Center with injuries that are considered life-threatening.

Henrico Police had stopped traffic from crossing Willey Bridge in either direction to avoid the crash scene.

By 7:00 p.m., Henrico Police Lt. C.J. Maurice said traffic was allowed to drive over the bridge heading north into Henrico; however the bridge was still closed to southbound traffic. Traffic was re-routed onto River Road and drivers were instructed to cross the river over the Huguenot Bridge.