Shortly after 14:00, units were dispatched for an accident on I-95 northbound around the 124 mile marker, with one of the vehicles on fire. Initial reports varied about the severity of the accident, number and type of vehicles involved, and injuries. As units entered the interstate, a column of smoke was visible, and the assignment was upgraded with additional units and a tanker.
As the first unit on-scene, Rescue 4-3 found a three vehicle accident down the embankment in the median strip, with two of the vehicles on fire. A roll-on tow truck had a passenger vehicle crushed against a tree with the passenger car completely engulfed. Further down the ravine was another passenger vehicle on it's roof.
Sadly, the driver of the passenger vehicle perished in the crash/fire. The driver of the tow-truck and a passenger from the third vehicle were transported to Mary Washington Hospital while two other people denied injury. Coming at the height of the Sunday traffic returning from vacation, the accident caused a 23 mile backup.
