Fiery Ambulance, Car Crash Claims Medic, Civilian in Chesapeake, VA

The Midwest Medical ambulance was headed south on I-464 when it was hit by a Lexus headed the wrong way.

Sept. 22, 2025

A fiery wrong-way head-on crash involving an ambulance and a car has claimed the lives of an EMS crew member and a civilian.

The ambulance -- owned by Midwest Medical in North Carolina -- was southbound on I-464 in Chesapeake when it was struck by a 2022 Lexus headed the wrong way.

Upon impact, both vehicles caught fire, WAVY reported.

The driver of the ambulance, Skye A. Oraczewski, 22, and his passenger, Stephen M. Anderson, 53, were taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Anderson died of his injuries a short time later while Oraczewski remains in critcal condition.

Shakena Shamae Taylor-Pannell, 39, who was driving the Lexus, died at the scene.

Virginia State Police are investigating to determine if alcohol was involved in the crash.

About the Author

Susan Nicol

News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.