Investigation showed multiple factors played a role in the 16-vehicle crash inside Downtown Tunnel, charges pending

NORFOLK, Va. — State police in Virginia have begun their investigation into what caused a 16-vehicle crash in the Downtown Tunnel over the weekend.

According to tweets posted by 511 Hampton Roads, the accident took place on Sunday at about 1:00 in the morning and caused all eastbound lanes to be blocked for around three hours.

Two cars collided within the tunnel, causing one of their bumpers to detach and fall onto the road, as reported by VSP.

As cars started to get closer, the driver of one of the cars slammed on the brakes and came to a complete stop in the middle of the traffic lane to avoid colliding with the bumper. This caused a chain reaction of cars slamming on their brakes and crashing into each other.

VSP said that the vehicles were “following too closely” and “traveling at a very high rate of speed,” even though the speed limit in the tunnel is 35 miles per hour.

VSP says that most of the cars involved were part of a “car club” that used to be based in Portsmouth.

According to state police, several charges are being considered at this time despite the fact that the investigation into the crash is still ongoing.

The Elizabeth Rivers Crossing Agency has provided recorded videos of the accident to the authorities, and those videos are now being sorted through.