A 23-year-old Chesterfield County woman, Skylar Mackenzie Vargo, died early Thursday morning following a tragic wrong-way crash involving a passenger vehicle and a tractor-trailer on Interstate 295 in Henrico County, Virginia.
According to Virginia State Police, troopers responded to the crash near the Route 60 and Interstate 64 east exit at the 28-mile marker at approximately 2:27 a.m.
Investigators said a preliminary investigation found that a Hyundai was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-295 when it collided with a tractor-trailer. The impact forced the tractor-trailer to cross through the median and enter the southbound lanes before coming to a stop.
Following the collision, the Hyundai caught fire. Police identified the Hyundai driver as Skylar Mackenzie Vargo, 23, of South Chesterfield. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured in the crash.
Hazardous materials crews also responded because the tractor-trailer was leaking diesel fuel and oil. Authorities said all lanes of the interstate have since reopened.
The crash remains under investigation as Virginia State Police continue working to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal collision.
The death of Skylar Mackenzie Vargo has left family, friends, and members of the community grieving a heartbreaking loss. Loved ones are remembering her life and the memories she created while awaiting further answers from investigators.
