Trending Topics

2 EMS providers, wrong-way driver killed in Va. head-on crash involving ambulance

A Lexus traveling the wrong way on I-464 struck a Midwest Medical ambulance, killing both EMS crew members and the other driver

By Avery Sloan
The Virginian-Pilot

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — All three people involved in a head-on crash very early Sunday morning on Interstate 464 have died, according to Virginia State Police.

Around 2:33 a.m., police were called to a crash on I-464, which involved two vehicles, including a 2024 Ford Econoline ambulance. The ambulance — owned by Midwest Medical of North Carolina — was traveling south on the highway when it was hit head-on near the Military Highway exit by a 2022 Lexus sedan that was traveling north in the southbound lanes, state police said in a news release. The crash caused both vehicles to catch fire.

Both the driver and a passenger in the ambulance died after being taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, police said. The passenger, who was in the front seat, was identified as Stephen Michael Anderson, 53, of Trenton, North Carolina. The driver, Skye A. Oraczewski, 22, of Elizabeth City, died late Sunday night.

The driver of the Lexus, Shakena Shamae Taylor-Pannell, 39, of Virginia Beach, died at the scene. Alcohol and speed were being investigated as contributing factors in the crash, police said.

The crash closed the southbound lanes of I-464 for several hours.

No other information was immediately available.

Trending
Police said the Richmond County ambulance was left running with the keys inside
Careerline Tech Center seniors practiced CPR, patient transport and other emergency scenarios at Kirk Park
Freeman Health System’s new EMS Appreciation Lounge gives paramedics, EMTs and air medical crews a place to rest and refuel
Burns Flat EMS personnel say the state’s non-essential classification hurts rural EMS staffing

©2025 The Virginian-Pilot.
Visit pilotonline.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Company News
Connect daily vehicle inspections with maintenance workflows in a single, streamlined platform to enhance compliance and uptime for mission-critical fleets