Driver in triple fatality wreck in New Kent charged with reckless driving; identities of victims released

By Alan Chamberlain | April 9, 2014 11:03 am

The driver of a 1992 Toyota Tercel that was struck Tuesday after the car pulled in front of a tractor-trailer on Route 155 at the entrance to Colonial Downs in New Kent County is being charged with reckless driving, according to state police.

The driver, Saul A. Hernandez-Gonzalez, 65, of the 9000 block of Suburban Village Lane in North Chesterfield, was the lone survivor among four men, all from North Chesterfield, who occupied the Toyota. The driver’s brother, identified as Julio C. Gonzalez-Hernandez, 61, who was seated in the front passenger seat and wearing a seat belt, died at the scene.

Also killed at the scene was a rear seat passenger, Javier D. Ferrer, 25, of the 6000 block of Amster Road, who was seated behind the deceased brother and not wearing a seat belt.

Another rear seat passenger, Jose A. Lopez-Velasquez, 26, of the 3000 block of Walmsley Blvd., was seated behind the driver and not wearing a seat belt. He was thrown from the vehicle and later died at VCU Medical Center in Richmond.

The driver, who was wearing a seat belt, sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries and was taken to VCU Medical Center where he remains for treatment.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, who has not been identified, was wearing his seat belt and not injured in the crash.

The accident occurred shortly before 12:30 p.m. Investigators say the Toyota sedan pulled out of Kentland Trail onto Route 155 and into the path of the oncoming tractor-trailer southbound on Route 155. The tractor-trailer driver was unable to avoid the collision.

Molnar said that after consultation with the New Kent County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, the driver of the Toyota was charged with reckless driving. The crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the Virginia State Police Accident Reconstruction Team and Motor Carrier Unit along with the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office.

Alcohol and speed are not considered factors in the crash. Route 155 southbound was re-opened at approximately 4:30 p.m.