Man hit crossing interstate dies

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - An 18-year-old man who was hit by a pick-up truck as he crossed six lanes of traffic on I-264 east of the Downtown Tunnel in Norfolk Monday night has died, according to State Police.

John Snowden III of Chesapeake was hit around 7 p.m. as he was crossing the eastbound lanes of I-264 trying to get across the westbound lanes to Berkley Avenue, Virginia State Police spokesperson Michelle Anaya said.

Anaya said Snowden was looking for a shortcut when he decided to cut through I-264. The pick-up, driven by 36-year-old Christopher Jorgensen, of Virginia Beach, swerved to avoid hitting Snowden, but ended up clipping him.

Long-time family friend and former Norfolk Councilwoman Daun Hester told WAVY.com John's parents are in shock. "They are just devastated. They are worn out. They've been up all night in the hospital. He was on life support, so as a parent, to see your child in that condition, you can't even describe that," said Hester. "It's so surreal. You never expect something like this to happen to your children."

Hester said the family has no idea why John was trying to walk across the very busy highway. She said they don't know where he was coming from or where he was trying to go. "We have no clue and we will never know."

John graduated Deep Creek High School last year. He was working not one, but two jobs and had a huge circle of friends and family who loved him dearly.

As police and paramedics worked the accident scene Monday night, the westbound lanes of the Downtown Tunnel, along with the on-ramps at St. Paul's Boulevard and City Hall Avenue, were closed for several hours.

At 10:15 p.m., the scene cleared and all lanes re-opened.

Virginia State Police say charges will not be placed against Jorgensen.