HAMPTON ROADS — VDOT Hampton Roads said northbound lanes have reopened on the James River Bridge after a ‘Special Activity Incident’ Monday morning.
According to Virginia State Police (VSP), the lane closure was caused by a wanted subject who jumped off the bridge to avoid arrest.
At approximately 8:45 a.m., VSP was coordinating with a DMV officer who observed a black sedan driving recklessly on the JRB and struck another vehicle. The driver, 29-year-old Kelly Golden of Suffolk, fled the scene on foot. VSP said as the suspect approached the draw of the bridge, he observed state police in the lane and jumped off the southside of the bridge into the James River to avoid apprehension. Golden drifted north on the river until a civilian vessel was able to respond, locate, and pull him to safety, VSP said Golden was transported to Riverside Regional Hospital.
There were a total of four vehicles involved in the crash, but VSP said there was only property damage at this time. The vehicles were moved off the bridge to open up lanes of travel. All lanes reopened just before 10 a.m., but heavy congestion remains, according to VDOT.
Golden is wanted for a felony probation violation, according to VSP.
State Police will conduct the crash investigation and Newport News Police are standing by at the hospital to serve/arrest Golden upon release, VSP said.