Wednesday, May 27WATCHFUL EYE

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VDOT Announces Exit 126 Ramp Closures in Spotsy
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VDOT Announces Exit 126 Ramp Closures in Spotsy

The I-95 northbound on-ramp and the I-95 northbound off-ramp to northbound to Route 1 at Exit 126 (Spotsylvania) will close May 27 through Friday, May 29 from 10 p.m. – 4 a.m. each night. The closures are to accommodate work to improve the exit 126 (Spotsylvania) interchange, said VDOT. Drivers are advised to use exit 118 (Thornburg) or exit 130 (Route 3) in Fredericksburg as alternates. WATCH: Follow the Watchful Eye on X, Facebook, Instagram, Rumble & YouTubeto keep up with what's happening in Virginia.
I-95 Shutdown in Caroline Caused y Fatal Tractor-Trailer Crash
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I-95 Shutdown in Caroline Caused y Fatal Tractor-Trailer Crash

A fatal crash involving two tractor‑trailers triggered the hours‑long shutdown of I‑95 South at mile marker 113 in Caroline County on Wednesday, May 20. Virginia State Police say 25‑year‑old Xavion Jamal Holmes Mahoney, of Charlotte, NC, was killed after his 2018 Freightliner Cascadia slammed into the back of a 2007 Freightliner. Biometric Gun Safe for Vehicles | Fingerprint, Keypad, Key | Built-In Handle The impact brought every southbound lane to a standstill as VSP’s Motor Carrier Safety Team and Crash Reconstruction Team worked the scene and crews cleared the wreckage. Mahoney was taken to Mary Washington Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The second driver has not yet been identified. State Police say the investigation is still ongoing. WATCH: ...
Dragon Run Bridge Replacement at Gloucester-Middlesex Line Set to Begin
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Dragon Run Bridge Replacement at Gloucester-Middlesex Line Set to Begin

Drivers on Route 17 at the Gloucester–Middlesex county line should prepare for long‑term lane closures and delays as VDOT and its contractor begin mobilizing on Monday, May 18, for the long‑awaited northbound bridge replacement over Dragon Run. The right lane on the northbound side has been closed since December 2025 due to damage from one of several crashes into the structure. The upcoming $14.6 million project will replace the aging 1931 bridge with a structure that is wider, taller, and longer to meet modern standards. What to Expect Starting May 18 Route 17 northbound will remain reduced to a single lane at the Dragon Run bridge. Crews will begin building traffic crossovers for a major diversion planned in summer 2026. Work zone barriers will continue separating the ...
VSP Launching 2-Day Operation on I-95
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VSP Launching 2-Day Operation on I-95

Multiple divisions of Virginia State Police will coordinate to launch a major two‑day crackdown across all 179 miles of I‑95 in Virginia on May 18–19. Called Operation DISS‑rupt, the enforcement effort will target the four leading causes of deadly interstate crashes: distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, and seat belt violations. Sense Energy Monitor | Track Electricity Usage in Real Time & Save What’s Driving the Operation VSP reports that preliminary statewide crash data shows 194 traffic fatalities between Jan. 1 and May 1, 2026—down from 235 deaths during the same period in 2025, but still a significant public‑safety concern heading into summer. “As we start the summer travel season, we want to make sure the roads are as safe as possible,” said Captain Ted...
Contract Awarded for First Phase of I-81 Widening Project
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Contract Awarded for First Phase of I-81 Widening Project

The Commonwealth Transportation Board has awarded a $237 million contract to Triton Construction to begin the first phase of the I‑81 widening project.The decision came during the Board’s April 22 meeting in Fredericksburg. The awarded segment—known as Segment N—covers 3.2 miles between mile marker 133.8 and exit 137 in Roanoke County and Salem. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2027. An Added Eye When You Drive & Park : REDTIGER Dash Cam This phase is part of a larger improvement project along nine miles of I‑81 that will widen the interstate from two lanes to three lanes in each direction. Ken King, district engineer for VDOT’s Salem District, said, “Widening this section is a major step forward for the Roanoke-Blacksburg region.” “We are excited to begin th...
1 Killed in Rt. 301 Crash in Caroline
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1 Killed in Rt. 301 Crash in Caroline

Virginia State Police say a fatal head-on crash caused the hours-long closure of Route 301 northbound in Caroline County on Wednesday. Troopers responded at 3:07 p.m. April 8 to the crash at the 118-mile marker, just north of the Town of Bowling Green. According to a preliminary investigation, a 2008 Mazda MZ3 traveling south in the northbound lanes struck a 1990 GMC Sierra pickup truck head-on. The Mazda driver, identified as 44-year-old Kristen Lindsay Raso of Hanover, died at the scene. The driver of the pickup truck suffered serious injuries and was flown by MedFlight to VCU Medical Center. Heavy Duty Steering Wheel Lock | Adjustable | Highly Visible The crash prompted officials to shut down northbound Route 301 for several hours, with traffic diverted near the gate of F...
19-Year-Old Killed in Rest Stop Crash
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19-Year-Old Killed in Rest Stop Crash

Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal crash at a rest stop on I‑66 in Prince William County. According to the preliminary investigation, 19‑year‑old Jose Daniel Rivera Quintana of Bristow was driving a 2013 Toyota Corolla at a high rate of speed as he entered the rest area. Investigators say he appeared to lose control of the vehicle and struck a legally parked Kenworth 310 tractor‑trailer. An Added Eye When You Drive & Park : REDTIGER Dash Cam The Corolla caught fire, and Quintana died at the scene. The truck driver, who was resting in the cab at the time, was not injured. State Police have ruled out alcohol as a factor in the crash. Quintana was wearing a seatbelt. WATCH: Follow the Watchful Eye on X, Facebook, Instagram, Rumble&...
Longer delays for Coleman Bridge openings, warns VDOT
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Longer delays for Coleman Bridge openings, warns VDOT

VDOT has warned drivers and boaters to expect extended delays when there are Coleman bridge openings. Due to mechanical issues, crews now have to manually open the bridge, which requires additional procedures and manpower. According the VDOT, the extra steps add 25–40 minutes to the process, resulting in total opening times of approximately 45–60 minutes. Charge All Your Devices at Once | 5-in-1 Fast Charging Station |Wireless Charging Despite the mechanical problems and extended delays, bridge openings must continue in order to comply with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) regulations. While vessels are not typically required to give advance notice, VDOT has requested a two-hour heads-up due to the need for additional staffing and coordination. This is a change USCG has discretion ov...
Charges Pending for Fiery McLaren Crash in Northern Virginia
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Charges Pending for Fiery McLaren Crash in Northern Virginia

Virginia State Police have identified and charged the driver involved in a high-speed crash that left three people seriously injured and a vehicle engulfed in flames late Saturday night in Northern Virginia. The incident occurred around 10:52 p.m. on September 28. Troopers received reports of multiple vehicles driving recklessly on Interstate 495 south near Braddock Road. Charge All Your Devices at Once: 5-in-1 Fast Charging Station w/ Wireless Charging As troopers responded, a 2020 McLaren 720S—part of the group allegedly driving erratically—sideswiped a 2000 Honda Pilot, causing the SUV to overturn several times. The driver of the Honda Pilot, Rosa M. Rivera Orellana, 37, of Fairfax, was wearing a seat belt but still sustained serious injuries, VSP reported. She was transport...