Tow Truck Operator Dies After Car Strikes Him: Police

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The Virginia State Police are investigating a crash that killed a tow truck operator in Fredericksburg Thursday afternoon. The crash occurred Thursday at 12:35 p.m. on the Interstate 95 entrance ramp from Route 3 (Plank Road).

A 2020 Chevrolet Impala was traveling south on the I-95 entrance ramp when it crossed the white fog line and struck the tow truck operator, who had parked his tow truck on the shoulder of the ramp, the police said Saturday.

The tow truck driver, Louis J. Rich, 29 of Locust Grove, was standing outside his tow truck on the shoulder and was badly injured in the crash. He was transported to Mary Washington Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Rich later died from his injuries sustained in the crash, the Virginia State Police said.

The driver of the Chevrolet, Christopher R. Minor, 29, of Woodford, Virginia, remained at the scene. Minor was charged with reckless driving, driving without a license and failure to wear a seatbelt, the police said.

The Virginia State Police Culpeper Division Crash Reconstruction Team responded to the scene and is assisting with the ongoing crash investigation.