By Becky Robinette Wright

Shortly before 9:30 p.m. on May 27, Virginia State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Interstate 95 northbound at the 48 mile marker in the City of Petersburg.

Police said a 2007 Pontiac G-6 was traveling in the right lane when the driver attempted to change lanes to pass a 1999 International Tractor-trailer that was also traveling in the right lane. The Pontiac struck the rear of the tractor-trailer and ran off the left side of the roadway and overturned several times.

The driver of the Pontiac, Lee Soloman 23, of Petersburg, suffered minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Southside Regional Medical Center. The front seat passenger, Joyce A. Blowe, 50, of Petersburg, suffered serious non-life threatening injuries and was flown by Life Evac to VCU Medical Center. The rear seat passenger, a 6 year-old female from Petersburg, was ejected from the vehicle and not secured in a child restraint device. The child suffered serious non-life threatening injuries and was flown by Med-flight to VCU Medical Center. Soloman and Blowe were wearing their safety belts.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, identified by Virginia State Police, Daniel A. Davis, 66, of Richmond was not injured in the crash and was wearing his safety belt.

Soloman was charged with driving under the influence and failure to properly secure a child under the age of 8. Soloman could face further charges after consultation with the City of Petersburg Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.

Speed and alcohol are considered factors in the crash. The interstate was closed for approximately two hours to allow for the investigation and to land the helicopters on the interstate. There was an approximate one mile back up.

The crash remains under investigation.