Man Arrested After Arlington I-66 Work Zone Crash: VSP

ARLINGTON, VA — Six construction workers have been sent to the hospital after an SUV crashed into a work zone on Interstate 66 in Arlington early Thursday morning, and a man was arrested in connection with the crash, authorities say.

The Arlington County Fire Department tweeted at 1:27 a.m. that units were working an auto accident with multiple patients on westbound I-66 just past Lee Highway.

They later added that an "entire crew of road workers [were] struck by a vehicle on 66WB," and that all patients — some with critical injuries — were taken to area trauma centers. The road was limited to one lane for most of the early morning.

A total of eight patients were taken to area trauma centers, with some having critical injuries. Virginia State Police is leading the investigation with assistance from the Arlington County Police Department.

#Update: An entire crew of road workers struck by a vehicle on 66WB. All patients, some critical have been treated and transported to local area trauma centers. 66WB just past Spout Run/ Lee Hwy will be shut down to one lane for an extended period of time. @WTOPtraffic pic.twitter.com/UHrG9Fmvi1
— Arlington Fire (@ArlingtonVaFD) December 5, 2019

The Twitter account for the Virginia Department of Transportation in Northern Virginia indicated that the crash may have been due to drunk driving.

"We're just not in the mood to post something cute," they wrote. "This AM, a SUV crashed into our contractor's work zone on I-66, sending 6 people to the hospital. So stop driving drunk, into work zones, hitting people, then trying to flee."

The driver was arrested for DUI, police said.

"There were three occupants in the GMC," Virginia State Police said in a statement. "Two of the occupants fled the scene on foot. State police and Arlington Police apprehended the two near the scene."

Police have charged 44-year-old Kevin L. Blyther of Centreville with driving while intoxicated, failure to stop at the scene of a crash involving an injury (felony count), and driving on a suspended/revoked license. He is being held at the Arlington County Adult Detention Center.

We’re just not in the mood to post something cute.

This AM, a SUV crashed into our contractor’s work zone on I-66, sending 6 people to the hospital.

So stop driving drunk, into work zones, hitting people, then trying to flee.

Thank you @VSPPIO @ArlingtonVaFD @ArlingtonVaPD! pic.twitter.com/18cFhBkDKX
— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) December 5, 2019