Two people were hospitalized after a tractor-trailer crashed into a medical transport van in Essex, Virginia State Police announced.
On Tuesday morning, a medical transport van, a 2012 Dodge, was stopped in the road on Rt. 360 about .2 of a mile west of Route 619 because a tree had fallen across both the eastbound and westbound lanes, according to VSP.
A 2015 Freightliner tractor-trailer rear-ended the van, which had a passenger in route to McGuire Veterans Hospital. VSP, said after impact with the van, the tractor-trailer jack-knifed and hit the bridge. A portion of the cab was over the side of the bridge.
The driver of the van, a 55-year-old Henrico man, was transported to the hospital via ambulance. VSP reported his injuries as serious but non-life-threatening.
The medical transport passenger, identified only as a Tappahannock man, had to be flown out to the hospital. VSP said his injuries were life-threatening.
No information was provided about the condition of the truck driver.
The accident caused significant damage to the bridge causing the Rt. 360 westbound lanes to be closed for hours, which resulted in a 9-mile detour for traffic.
As of Tuesday afternoon, only one westbound lane has reopened. VDOT said the right lane will remain closed until the bridge is repaired.
The accident occurred at around 10:40 a.m., according to VSP. This incident is under investigation and VSP is asking that anyone with information contact Virginia State Police Area Office 02 at (804) 333-4026, via #77 on a cell phone or by emailing questions@vsp.virginia.gov.
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