Chesapeake Daily: Bridge-Tunnel Tragedy, Teen Crash Update, Daytime Shooting Probe

Chesapeake, VA — February 17, 2026 — Here’s a quick look at the most significant local stories shaping traffic and public safety in and around Chesapeake today.

Trucker killed after Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel plunge

Regional authorities continue to investigate a deadly crash on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel that left a Perdue Farms truck driver dead. Early Sunday morning, a southbound tractor-trailer went over the west side of the span near Fisherman’s Island and into the Chesapeake Bay. No other vehicles were involved.

The driver, a 61-year-old man from North Carolina, was later recovered and identified. Bridge-Tunnel officials say repairs to damaged guardrail and curb sections will take several days, with at least one lane remaining restricted near the crash site. Drivers using the crossing this week should plan for slower traffic and possible backups.

Two teens hurt in Centerville Turnpike South crash

Closer to home, two teenage girls were injured in a weekend collision along Centerville Turnpike South near Mount Pleasant Road. The crash, reported Saturday afternoon, prompted a response from Chesapeake Fire and EMS units, who treated the 13- and 14-year-old victims for head and shoulder pain at the scene.

Details on how many vehicles were involved and what led up to the crash have not been released, but traffic in the busy commercial corridor was temporarily affected while first responders worked. The teens’ injuries were described as non-life-threatening, and the incident serves as another reminder to slow down and watch for turning traffic in that stretch.

Police seek tips after daytime shooting near busy intersection

Chesapeake police are also investigating a daytime shooting that left a woman injured over the weekend. Officers were called Sunday afternoon to the intersection of Battlefield Boulevard and Volvo Parkway after gunfire between two vehicles reportedly struck a yellow Jeep, injuring an adult woman inside.

The Jeep came to a stop at the intersection, where officers and medics provided aid before transporting the victim to a local hospital. Her injuries were described as non-life-threatening. Detectives have not released suspect descriptions and are asking anyone who may have seen the vehicles involved, or who has dashcam footage from the area around that time, to come forward.

Residents can share information anonymously through local tip lines. Police say community cooperation is critical in resolving vehicle-based shootings before they escalate into wider public safety threats.

Staying safe on Chesapeake roads

From highway infrastructure to neighborhood corridors, recent incidents highlight how closely traffic safety and everyday life are linked in Chesapeake. Officials urge drivers to use extra caution on regional crossings, avoid distractions, and give emergency crews room to work when crashes occur.

Sources

• https://www.wmdt.com/2026/02/update-perdue-drive-dead/
• https://localaccidentreports.com/chesapeake-va-2-teens-injured-in-crash-on-centerville-tpke-s/
• https://www.shorenewsnetwork.com/woman-injured-after-gunfire-erupts-between-vehicles-in-chesapeake/
• https://people.com/perdue-farms-driver-dead-after-tractor-trailer-crashes-off-bridge-11907615