LANCASTER COUNTY, Va. – The Virginia State Police is investigating a three-vehicle crash that claimed two lives and seriously injured another Sunday evening on the Robert O. Norris Jr. Bridge in Lancaster County.
At approximately 6:53 p.m. on July 13, 2025, Virginia State Police responded to a crash on the Robert O. Norris Bridge/ Route 3 involving a 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML350 SUV, a 2024 Subaru Outback, and a 2014 Ford Fusion.
The investigation revealed that the Mercedes-Benz, driven by Jesse David Foster, 30, of White Stone, Va., was traveling westbound on Route 3 at a high rate of speed.
Foster attempted to pass another vehicle in the eastbound lane, sideswiping the Subaru Outback before striking the Ford Fusion head-on.
Foster’s passenger, Crystal Michelle Lyles, 42, of White Stone, Va., was ejected from the vehicle. She succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
The driver of the Ford Fusion, Ernesto Santiago, 53, of Hampton, Va., died at the scene.
Foster was airlifted to Chippenham Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.
The driver of the Subaru Outback, Madeline Hart Gunter, 27, of Richmond, Va., was not injured.
State police determined that none of the individuals in the Mercedes-Benz or the Ford Fusion were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Speed and alcohol are considered major contributing factors.
The Robert O. Norris Jr. Bridge sustained damage from the crash and the resulting vehicle fire. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has closed the eastbound lane of the bridge until further notice while emergency inspections are conducted to assess structural integrity. Please contact VDOT for further information on this.
The crash remains under investigation with assistance from the Virginia State Police Division One Crash Reconstruction Team
