CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. — An arrest was made in the crash that closed the interstate in both directions near Willis Road (mile marker 66) in Chesterfield County on Saturday night. All lanes reopened at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
Troopers were called to a multi-vehicle crash involving a Chesterfield Fire Engine on Interstate 95 south at Willis Road around 10:20 p.m., a Virginia State Police spokesperson wrote in an email.
"Chesterfield Fire was on scene of another crash on I-95 at Willis Road. The fire department had the right lane and right shoulder closed, and their lights were activated," troopers said. "Juan Sara Cruz, 25, was operating a 2019 GMC pickup when he changed lanes and struck the driver's side of the fire engine. The pickup then overcorrected and struck another vehicle."
Sara Cruz was charged with DUI, failing to move over for an emergency vehicle, reckless driving, not having a valid license, and no seatbelt, according to police.
"A Chesterfield Fire & EMS ladder truck was blocking traffic after an accident on I-95 south, just north of the Willis Road exit, when it was struck by a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Two firefighters were transported to VCU Medical Center to be evaluated for minor injuries. Two other people were also injured and transported to area hospitals," a Chesterfield Fire spokesperson wrote in an email. "The ladder truck suffered significant damage and needed to be towed from the scene, resulting in Interstate 95 being shut down for an extended amount of time. The crash is currently under investigation by Virginia State Police."
Citing Crime Insider sources, CBS 6 initially reported someone shooting off fireworks near the interstate may have led to the initial crash. State Police later confirmed the call initially came in as fireworks but after an investigation, it was determined, that "a communication line of some sort fell across north and southbound lanes" causing a crash that resulted in minor damage to two vehicles and no injuries.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have information to share.
