A high-speed crash inside Virginia’s Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel shut down traffic early Monday morning. According to reports from local outlets, including WTKR News 3, the crash involved a speeding Dodge Charger that struck multiple vehicles before catching fire inside the tunnel.
Viewer-submitted footage shared by WTKR News 3 on X captured the aftermath from inside another vehicle traveling through the tunnel. The video showed thick smoke in the enclosed space as a heavily damaged car burned along the left side of the roadway.
People inside the recording vehicle could be heard reacting as they approached the crash scene. Bright flames illuminated portions of the tunnel, while smoke reduced visibility for nearby motorists.
Virginia State Police later confirmed that the crash happened on Interstate 64 eastbound inside the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel in Hampton around 4:38 a.m. on Monday, May 25. Authorities said the driver of the Dodge Charger was traveling at a high rate of speed before crashing into an SUV and a box truck.
Speeding Charger Triggered Tunnel Collision
According to the Virginia State Police, the Dodge Charger was speeding eastbound through the HRBT when the driver lost control and struck the SUV and box truck inside the tunnel. Investigators said the impact caused the Charger to become airborne before crashing back onto the roadway.
Moments later, the vehicle caught fire. Smoke spread through the tunnel as emergency crews responded from both sides.
The HRBT is already known throughout the Hampton Roads area for congestion and difficult traffic conditions during rush hour. A serious crash involving a fire inside the tunnel can pose additional risk due to the enclosed environment and limited space for drivers to move away from the scene.
Viewer Video Captured the Aftermath
The footage shared by WTKR News 3 showed conditions inside the tunnel shortly after the crash. Flames consumed the Charger while smoke spread across the roadway and visibility deteriorated.
People inside the recording vehicle reacted as they approached the burning car. The camera shook as the vehicle continued through the tunnel and past the crash scene.
In enclosed traffic corridors like the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, smoke can spread quickly, and visibility can drop within seconds. That can make crashes involving fire especially difficult for drivers and emergency responders.
Hours of Traffic Gridlock Followed
Following the crash, authorities shut down all eastbound lanes of Interstate 64 through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel shortly before 4:45 a.m. Traffic backups stretched for miles as emergency responders worked to extinguish the fire and clear the damaged vehicles.
A driver has been charged after a crash in the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) caused lane closures Monday morning, according to Virginia State Police (Virginia State Police).
Video credit: News 3 viewer Alexis
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— WTKR News 3 (@WTKR3) May 25, 2026
Reports from WAVY TV 10 and 13News Now stated that westbound traffic was also heavily affected while crews managed the emergency response. Morning commuters across the Hampton Roads region faced major delays during the closure.
The eastbound lanes did not fully reopen until around 9:55 a.m., meaning the incident disrupted traffic for more than five hours. Tunnel incidents often create widespread ripple effects across the region because many drivers depend on the HRBT as a key connection point between Hampton and Norfolk.
Driver Charged With Reckless Driving
Virginia State Police said the Dodge Charger driver suffered injuries in the crash and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Authorities noted that no other major injuries were reported despite the severity of the collision and fire.
Investigators charged the Charger driver with reckless driving following the incident.