CAPRON

Eastbound and westbound lanes of U.S. Route 58 (Southampton Parkway) are now closed as of shortly after 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, due to a multi-vehicle accident that has resulted in four fatalities.

The Southampton County Sheriff’s Office is working the scene with the assistance of the Virginia State Police. The accident occurred at approximately 7:45 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 58 between Popes Station Road and Bryants Church Road (not Buckhorn Quarter Road, as was previously reported) near Capron.

According to the Virginia Department of Transportation’s 511 Virginia traffic conditions website, the eastbound and westbound lanes of U.S. 58 are now closed between Popes Station Road and Bryants Church Road. Maj. Gene Drewery, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that the highway will remain closed until the Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation of the crash.

According to Drewery, the accident occurred when a passenger car rear-ended a stopped tractor trailer, resulting in the deaths of the driver and three passengers in the car.

The tractor trailer had reportedly been stopped in the left lane behind another tractor trailer, which had been stopped for a school bus loading students at a regular stop. The school bus was not involved in the crash, Drewery said.

The identities of the victims have not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.

In addition to the Sheriff’s Office and State Police, also working the scene are Capron Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Drewryville Volunteer Fire, Courtland Volunteer Fire, the Virginia Department of Transportation and Southampton Towing.

The Tidewater News will provide updates as more details are learned.