ARLINGTON, Va. — Eight people are hospitalized, including an entire crew of six road workers, after a DUI driver plowed into a construction zone early Thursday morning.
According to Virginia State Police (VSP), officers responded to a crash in a Highway Work Zone operating in the westbound lanes of I-66 at Quincy Street in Arlington around 12:29 a.m.
Arriving officers discovered that a GMC Yukon drove into the work zone, striking six highway construction workers. The Yukon continued to travel off the right side of I-66, only stopping when it slammed into a light pole.
Police said there were three people inside the Yukon, at least two of them tried to run from the scene on foot.
Both subjects were quickly arrested by VSP and Arlington County Police.
Arlington County Fire officials said an EMS task force made up of units from both Arlington and Fairfax Counties transported eight patients, including six members of the road crew and two occupants of the Yukon, to local trauma centers.
VSP said the victim's injuries range from minor to serious, but all are expected to recover.
Terry Robinson, who a VDOT spokesman confirmed was with the highway contractor tweeted:
"The guys on our crew are in the hospital with broken legs, other fractures, head injuries, and some internal bleeding. Overall none of our team members have life-threatening injuries, but will take weeks and months to recover. We say thank you to everyone for prayers."
But Robinson's Twitter account has since been deleted.
The driver of the Yukon, 44-year-old Kevin L. Blyther, has been arrested and charged with DUI, officials said.
An Arlington County magistrate ordered him held with no bond pending his next hearing before a judge.
The crash remains under investigation.
All travel lanes are back open, however, some units remain on the shoulder. Drivers should use caution in the area.