CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) – A truck driver was rescued on Monday after a gust of wind caused a crash on the High Rise Bridge, police said.

Virginia State Police determined Wayne Boone, of Suffolk, was driving a 2007 Freightliner tractor-trailer west on Interstate 64 at 8:43 a.m. when a gust of wind pushed his empty trailer into another lane. Boone lost control of the truck, and the tractor-trailer hit the side of the High Rise Bridge. Boone was trapped in the cab of the truck, which was dangling over the Elizabeth River.

First responders with the Chesapeake Fire Department rescued Boone from the truck, according to VSP.

According to Chesapeake Fire officials, a technician was lowered over the bridge to harness Boone and lift him to safety. This was accomplished 70 feet above the Elizabeth River as severe thunderstorms blew through the area with high winds.

Boone was taken to Sentara Hospital. He suffered from non life-threatening injuries.

Alcohol was not a factor in the crash. Boone was wearing his seat belt and is not facing charges at this time. The investigation is ongoing, and it hasn’t been determined how much damage was done to the bridge during the crash, according to VSP.

Chesapeake firefighter Justin Beazley, a member of the technical rescue team, rappels off the side of the I-64 Highrise Bridge to rescue the driver of a tractor-trailer that jackknifed, hanging 70 feet over the Elizabeth River. pic.twitter.com/6hZhOVJHep — Chesapeake Fire Dept (@ChesapeakeFire) April 13, 2020

VDOT, Chesapeake Fire and Rescue and State Police were on scene working to remove the tractor-trailer from the bridge. Specialty resources from Norfolk Fire-Rescue and the Virginia Beach Fire Department were also requested.

According to 10 On Your Side’s Chris Horne, the cab was pulled up to the bridge deck shortly before 11 a.m.

VDOT has set up detours.

Update — Detours are now in place for:

-Westbound at exit 296

-Eastbound at exit 291B https://t.co/TD56SDB7HB — VDOT Hampton Roads (@VaDOTHR) April 13, 2020

Drivers should expect significant delays both westbound and eastbound in this area of I-64.

Stay with WAVY News 10 on air and online for updates.

Photo courtesy: Jason Powell

Photo courtesy: Norfolk Fire and Rescue

Photo courtesy: Norfolk Fire and Rescue

Photo courtesy: Norfolk Fire and Rescue

Photo courtesy: Jason Powell

This image shows a tractor-trailer cab looking from beneath the High Rise Bridge, courtesy of the Chesapeake Fire Department.

VDOT photo

Photo courtesy: Jason Powell

Photo courtesy: Jason Powell

Photo courtesy: Chris Horne/WAVY TV

Photo courtesy: Chris Horne/WAVY TV

Photo courtesy: Norfolk Fire and Rescue

Latest Posts