NEWPORT NEWS — A wrong-way driver struck and injured a Virginia State Trooper head-on early Saturday morning on Interstate 64 in Newport News.
According to Virginia State Police (VSP), it received multiple reports of a wrong-way driver on Interstate 64 at the 256-mile marker near Oyster Point Road at approximately 3:44 a.m. A “BOL” — be on the lookout — was broadcast and troopers in the area attempted to find the vehicle.
According to VSP, State Trooper M. LeSage positioned himself in the eastbound lanes in an attempt to locate and stop the driver, who was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes. At approximately 4:03 a.m., LeSage notified dispatchers that he had been struck head-on at a high rate of speed by the wrong-way driver.
Trooper Lesage suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Riverside Doctors’ Hospital Williamsburg in Williamsburg.
The driver, 26-year-old Elijah Jones, was found to be under the influence. He did not suffer injuries and was taken and taken to the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail, where he was charged with DUI Maiming and Open Container.
