A tragic head-on collision on the Robert O. Norris Jr. Bridge in Lancaster County, Virginia, claimed the lives of two individuals on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at approximately 6:53 p.m. Virginia State Police have identified speed and alcohol as major contributing factors in the devastating crash, which involved three vehicles: a 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350 SUV, a 2024 Subaru Outback, and a 2014 Ford Fusion.
The investigation revealed that the Mercedes-Benz, driven by 30-year-old Jesse David Foster of White Stone, Virginia, was traveling westbound on Route 3 at a high rate of speed. Foster attempted to pass another vehicle in the eastbound lane, resulting in a sideswipe collision with the Subaru Outback before striking the Ford Fusion head-on.
Crystal Michelle Lyles, 42, also of White Stone, Virginia, was a passenger in the Mercedes-Benz. She was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle, succumbing to her injuries at the scene. The driver of the Ford Fusion, 53-year-old Ernesto Santiago of Hampton, Virginia, also not wearing a seat belt, was killed in the crash. Foster survived the incident and was airlifted to a hospital for treatment, though his condition has not been disclosed.
The 27-year-old driver of the Subaru Outback, a woman from Richmond, Virginia, escaped the crash unharmed. Virginia State Police confirmed that none of the occupants in the Mercedes-Benz or Ford Fusion were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision, a factor that likely exacerbated the severity of the outcome.
The crash caused a vehicle fire and significant damage to the Robert O. Norris Jr. Bridge, which spans the Rappahannock River, connecting Lancaster and Middlesex counties. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has closed the eastbound lane of the bridge indefinitely to conduct emergency inspections to assess the structural integrity of the bridge. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes or expect delays, with VDOT directing traffic through a one-way alternating lane closure assisted by a pilot truck.
The Virginia State Police, with support from the Division One Crash Reconstruction Team, continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities urge anyone with additional information to contact the CBS 6 Newsroom or Virginia State Police to assist with the ongoing investigation.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of speeding, impaired driving, and the critical importance of wearing seat belts. Updates on the bridge closure and investigation will be provided as new information becomes available.
