Updated Release 12/17/15:
NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk Police Traffic Fatality Team continues to investigate a serious motor vehicle accident that hospitalized four people on Sunday, December 13, 2015.
Police have confirmed one man died as a result of his injuries sustained during the accident. Doctors at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital pronounced James E. Baldwin deceased yesterday morning. Mr. Baldwin, a 23-year-old Norfolk resident, was a passenger in the back seat when the SUV struck a concrete wall. He was found unconscious when first responders arrived to the scene.
Police have confirmed that high speed and alcohol played a role in the motor vehicle accident. The driver of the vehicle, Darius R. Pleasant, was charged with one count of driving under the influence. Mr. Pleasant is a 23-year-old Norfolk resident who last resided in the 1300 block of Johnstons Road.
Previous Release 12/13/15:
NORFOLK, Va. – Four people are recovering at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital this morning after their SUV smashed into a concrete wall.
Around 4:20 a.m. police responded to a single vehicle accident at South Military Highway and Sellger Drive in Norfolk.
Once on scene police found three people, the driver and two passengers, suffering from serious injuries.
A 23-year-old man who was sitting in the backseat was found unconscious at scene. He was rushed to the hospital by paramedics where he is listed in critical condition.
The driver, a 23-year-old man, and a woman who was sitting in the backseat were also taken to the hospital with serious injuries; however, both are expected to survive.
The fourth passenger, a 23-year-old woman, fled the scene prior to police arrival; however she arrived at the hospital a short time later with non-life threatening injuries.
Preliminary investigation reveals that the Ford Expedition was traveling Westbound in the 5700 block of Sellger Drive, went through a stop sign and crash into the concrete wall at the intersection with South Military Highway.
Traffic Fatality Investigators believe alcohol was a contributing factor in this crash.
No other information is available at this time.