HANOVER COUNTY, Va. — A tragic single-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 claimed the life of a Connecticut man and injured his wife Sunday morning. The Virginia State Police responded to the accident near Lewistown Road around 9:08 a.m. after reports of a vehicle leaving the roadway.
Authorities identified the victims as 60-year-old James D. Benincasa, who died in the crash, and his 53-year-old wife Tiffany Jerome Benincasa, both of Greenwich, Connecticut. Their 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter veered off I-95 North, struck multiple trees, and caught fire. Tiffany was found outside the vehicle with minor injuries, while James was pronounced dead at the scene.
Virginia State Police are investigating potential causes including driver fatigue, vehicle malfunction, or road conditions. No immediate evidence suggests another vehicle was involved. The crash closed one northbound lane for several hours as emergency crews worked at the scene.
The Benincasas were reportedly returning home to Connecticut at the time of the accident. Friends and neighbors described James as a devoted family man and active community member. “He was the kind of person who always put others first,” said a longtime friend.
This marks the third fatal crash on this stretch of I-95 in Hanover County this year. State police remind drivers to remain alert, take breaks during long trips, and ensure vehicles are properly maintained.
The investigation continues as authorities await toxicology results and complete their reconstruction of the crash. Anyone with information is asked to contact Virginia State Police.
