RICHMOND, Va. -- The driver of a car that ended up under a tractor-trailer on Interstate 95 in Richmond Thursday morning has been charged with reckless driving, according to Virginia State Police Sgt Keeli Hill.
"The driver of a Nissan Altima, who is a minor, was taking the ramp from Broad Street to northbound I-95. The Altima driver took the curve too fast and as he was coming out on I-95, he got stuck under a tractor trailer traveling straight on northbound I-95," a Hill said. "The driver of the Altima and a passenger were transported to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Both were minors. There were no injuries sustained for the tractor trailer driver."
Both the driver and passenger were expected to survive the accident, she added.
The crash was reported at about 4:46 a.m. Thursday, at the 74 mile marker, near the I-95/I-64 split in downtown Richmond.
Two witnesses, Robin Sebastian and her boyfriend Tommy Watson, said they saw the aftermath of that accident while driving down I-95 to get their daughter to the airport -- before first responders had arrived.
"There was a car wedged up under it, and my daughter said 'Oh my God! It's on fire,'" said Sebastian.
She said they also saw something else that amazed them even more.
"This guy just ran up past us. Past the driver's seat of our car, and ran up with a fire extinguisher."
Sebastian said they saw a man jump out of a recycling truck from behind them. Another man followed behind from that same truck -- both running toward the flames.
"When he got up there the flames were coming out pretty big, and he ran right into the flames," said Watson.
Sebastian said she hoped everyone was okay. Adding that by the look of the car -- she couldn't believe anybody survived that.
The couple agreed that without the quick actions of the two men, the accident might have had a very different outcome.
"The most amazing thing about it was the lack of hesitation that these people had in helping people," said Watson.
He added that the two men should be recognized for their actions.
"Even if not identified, they need to be recognized as heroes."
The northbound accident blocked at least one lane and slowed traffic Thursday morning.
Witnesses can send news tips, photos, and video here.
