Video: Fatal crash on I-64 East in Newport News

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NEWPORT NEWS – One person was killed and two others were injured in a seven-vehicle pile-up on I-64 East near Lee Hall and Fort Eustis about 1:00 a.m. Wednesday.

State Police Friday said the victim was Lee K. Trollinger, 52, of the 1000 block of Grove St. in Hampton.

Virginia State Police say Kenneth Hardy Sr. bent down to get a drink and when he looked back, he couldn't stop his tractor trailer before slamming into other vehicles that had slowed down for roadwork. The rig rear-ended one car, starting a chain reaction.

That car, a 2004 Toyota Corolla, burst into flames, killing Trollinger.

Two witnesses described the scene.

"That fire was pretty high, but like I said, I drive a tanker so I wasn’t even going to try and pass," noted Emilio Rivas.

Wil Sloan, 13News

A vehicle went off the road after being involved in the chain-reaction collision.

Trucker Greg Rouilliard added, "Just flames coming out of a car real high in the air and the truck - the way it's sitting now - that was it."

The area was closed to all eastbound traffic until about 6:00 a.m., when one lane was clear enough to let traffic pass. By 7:30 a.m., all lanes were open.

Hardy, 54, is charged with reckless driving; Va. State Police say speed was a factor in the crash because Hardy was going about 60 MPH. He was wearing a seatbelt, officers added.

Another person was treated for broken ribs.