Thomas Wiley, a beloved resident of Virginia Beach, has died on January 5, 2026 following a fatal incident. The 39-year-old lost his life in a devastating two-vehicle collision inside the eastbound lanes of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel on Interstate 64, a critical underwater passageway connecting Hampton and Norfolk.
This early morning tragedy unfolded in the confined and dimly lit environment of the tunnel, where mechanical failures and high speeds can quickly turn routine travel into catastrophe.
The sequence began just before 2:40 a.m. when Wiley’s grey Nissan Altima suffered a blown tire, rendering the vehicle disabled and immobile within the tunnel’s narrow confines. Stranded without immediate means to move to safety, the Altima became a stationary hazard on the eastbound roadway, vulnerable to approaching traffic in an area where visibility and reaction time are limited by the enclosed structure.
Moments later, a red Acura MDX driven by 36-year-old Torro Huggins of Newport News approached at a high rate of speed and struck the rear of the stranded Altima with significant force. The intensity of the rear-end impact caused Wiley to be ejected from his vehicle, resulting in catastrophic injuries. First responders from Virginia State Police and local emergency services arrived swiftly but could only confirm that Wiley had succumbed to his wounds at the scene, marking a grim end to what began as an unfortunate mechanical issue.
Huggins sustained serious injuries in the collision and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, where he remained under medical care as authorities began their inquiry. The crash site revealed the violent nature of the impact, with debris scattered across the lanes and both vehicles heavily damaged. Virginia State Police emphasized the role of speed as a contributing factor, noting that the Acura’s velocity prevented any evasive action in the tight tunnel space.
The incident triggered a complete shutdown of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel in both directions for several hours, stranding commuters and disrupting morning travel across the region until eastbound lanes reopened shortly after 6 a.m. Investigators continue to examine factors such as road conditions, vehicle maintenance, and driver actions, consulting with the Hampton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office on potential charges against the Acura driver, which could include reckless driving or related offenses pending the outcome of the probe.