Reckless driving accident closes eastbound Interstate 64 for six hours

A VDOT cleanup crew attempts to dismantle the remains of the box truck that closed Interstate 64 for more than six hours Tuesday morning.

Virginia State police photo

A Norfolk man operating a 2007 Freightliner box truck has been charged with reckless driving after a Tuesday morning accident caused Interstate 64 to shut down for six hours.

James R. Frazier, 41, was taken into custody after an investigation stemmed from the morning accident.

Virginia State Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Vick said Frazier operated the truck while traveling in the left lane on Interstate 64 eastbound as traffic began to slow down. Frazier allegedly looked down to get water when traffic came to a complete halt. The truck continued, striking a Toyota minivan and crashing into a Chevrolet Silverado. The accident triggered a chain reaction, resulting in six other vehicles, including two tractor-trailers, initiating new accidents.

Two people were transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. One lane reopened at 4:30 p.m., with all lanes accessible at 6 p.m.