NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. – State police have released the name of the man killed in an early morning accident on I-64 in New Kent County Wednesday.
Sgt. Steve Vick with Virginia State Police said the wreck involving a semi and a Honda Civic happened just before 5:20 a.m. on I-64 eastbound (mile marker 214.1) just before the New Kent Courthouse exit.
"A 2006 Honda Civic was traveling east on Interstate 64 at a high rate of speed, when it changed lanes from the right lane to the left, then back to the right lane striking a east bound 2015 Freightliner tractor trailer in the rear wedging the vehicle under the trailer of the Freightliner," Vick wrote.
Witnesses told police that the driver of the Honda was speeding and weaving in and out of traffic. When the driver went to change lanes, he drove under the tractor trailer.
"The driver of the tractor trailer thought a tire had blown and pulled over, at which point realized he had been struck by another vehicle," Vick said.
Officials said 27-year-old Charles E.S. Garrett of Williamsburg died at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the semi, which was loaded with 16,000 pounds of paper, was not hurt.
Vick said speed is being considered a factor in the crash.
Additionally, state police are looking into whether the fog may have been a factor in the crash. Visibility was poor in several areas, with fog and overcast skies and drizzly rain.
All lanes had reopened by 9:10 a.m., but a 2.5-mile backup remained.