Virginia State Police and local authorities continue to investigate a deadly three-vehicle collision that occurred Sunday evening on the Robert O. Norris Jr. Bridge, a critical crossing over the Rappahannock River linking Lancaster and Middlesex counties.
At approximately 6:53 p.m. on July 13, state troopers responded to a severe crash involving a 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350, a 2024 Subaru Outback, and a 2014 Ford Fusion. According to investigators, the Mercedes, driven by 30-year-old Jesse David Foster, was traveling westbound at a high rate of speed. He attempted to pass oncoming traffic in the eastbound lane, colliding with the Subaru and then crashing head-on into the Ford Fusion.
The force of the impact ejected 42-year-old Crystal Michelle Lyles, the passenger in the Mercedes, leading to her death at the scene. The driver of the Fusion, 53-year-old Ernesto Santiago, also succumbed to his injuries at the crash site. Foster survived but was transported via airlift to a nearby hospital for treatment. The driver of the Subaru sustained no injuries.
Virginia State Police report that none of the individuals in the Mercedes or Fusion were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision. Preliminary findings indicate that speed and alcohol were major contributing factors.
The Norris Bridge suffered structural damage, with burned vehicles further impacting the roadway. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) closed the eastbound lane for emergency inspections. All lanes were reopened by the following morning after no foundational damage was found, though pavement repairs remain scheduled.
The Virginia State Police Division One Crash Reconstruction Team continues to lead the investigation. Authorities ask anyone with relevant information to contact them to assist in piecing together the events that led to this fatal crash.
The Norris Bridge, commonly referred to as the White Stone Bridge, spans over 3,400 meters above the Rappahannock River and carries two lanes of Route 3 traffic. It serves as a vital transportation link in the region, with limited alternatives for crossing nearby.
As local officials await final investigative findings, community members are continuing to process the loss of two lives taken in a collision that underscores the dangers of high-speed driving and impaired judgment on Virginia’s roadways.
