King & Queen man killed in single vehicle crash on I-64 in New Kent

A King & Queen County man is dead after the pickup truck he was driving ran off the road on Interstate 64 in New Kent County and struck several trees early Wednesday morning.

Michael J. Saunders, 45, of the 6000 block of Lewis B. Puller Memorial Hwy., Mattaponi, died at the scene, state police spokesman Sgt. Thomas Molnar said. The single vehicle accident occurred around 1 a.m. on westbound I-64 near the 214-mile marker. Saunders’ 2008 Ford F-650 ran off the left side of the road before striking trees in the median strip. The victim was not wearing a seat belt.

Molnar said the accident closed both westbound lanes for about 15 minutes before the travel lane was reopened to traffic. An investigation into the accident, led by Trooper S.B. Petway, is continuing.