Staff Report —
Last night (Feb. 16) Virginia State Police were called to investigate a single-vehicle accident at the 17100 block of Metompkin Road, south of Nelsonia Road.
According to State Police spokeswoman Sgt. Michelle Anaya, preliminary investigations reveal that at approximately 8:29 p.m., the driver of a 2009 Lexus ES350, Brian Markis Handy, was traveling in the southbound lanes of Metompkin Road when he encountered an area of standing water, hydroplaned, and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle then left the roadway, striking a tree head-on. The rear seat passenger, Jemel Lydell Toppin, 34, of Bloxom, was not wearing a seatbelt and died upon impact. Handy and his front-seat passenger, Samuel Keynhia Dennis, were also not wearing their seatbelts and were airlifted to Norfolk Sentara Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Dennis, 34, also of Bloxom, died in flight to Norfolk Sentara.
“Speed played a contributing factor in the traffic crash, no seat belts were worn by either occupant, and it is unknown at this time if alcohol played a contributing factor,” wrote Anaya in the release.
Family members/next of kin have been contacted and notified. Charges are pending the review of the case by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
