Newport News, VA 23607
The James River Bridge was shut down for about four hours Tuesday when a 57-year-old man driving the wrong way crashed head-on into another vehicle and died.
Virginia State Police were called to the southbound lanes of Route 17 at the bridge draw span at around 12:23 a.m.
Once at the scene, they found Kenith L. Booker had approached the bridge draw span in the left lane and had crashed his 2000 Pontiac Grand Am headfirst into a Ford F250 while driving north, Sgt. Michelle Anaya said.
Booker died upon impact, Anaya said. The driver of the Ford F20 suffered injuries not life-threatening and was transported to a hospital from the scene.
Police said Booker, a Hampton resident, was wearing his seat belt at the time and alcohol did not play a factor in the crash.
All lanes were reopened at around 4 a.m., according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
