HAMPTON, Va. — A Chevrolet Express Van exploded on Interstate 64 in Hampton Roads on Friday.
It happened in the westbound lanes near Settlers Landing Road. Around 4:45 p.m., the van's compressed natural gas tank exploded, according to the Virginia State Police Department.
Virginia State Police say due to the van having compressed natural gas, one of the tanks exploded while the driver, Jesse Richman of Norfolk, was traveling westbound on I-64.
The explosion caused Richman to run off the roadway and hit a guardrail before coming to a stop next to the on ramp from Settlers Landing Road, according to troopers.
The force of the explosion shattered all of the van's windows and the windows of the Chevy Malibu traveling beside it, causing the driver of the Malibu to also lose control of their vehicle.
Troopers say due to the explosion and the use of compressed natural gas, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management responded to the scene.
The explosion caused all lanes to be shutdown until the scene was deemed safe by the Hampton Fire Department.
One lane was reopened around 6:31 p.m. to allow traffic to pass through until all lanes could safely reopen Saturday morning at 7:32 a.m.
State police say the lanes and the on ramp to westbound I-64 from Settlers Landing Road were shut down during this time period to safely remove the second tank of compressed natural gas that was still imbedded inside of the vehicle.
The second tank was compromised due to the first tanks explosion and safety measures were put in place to safely secure the tank without causing a second explosion, according to state police.
Luckily, police said no one was hurt.
