VIRGINIA BEACH
An off-duty Norfolk policeman killed in a crash on Interstate 264 on Friday had just realized his dream of becoming an officer, police said Saturday.
The 29-year-old policeman, Eric Clay Hallstrom of Chesapeake, was one of two men who died in the single-vehicle crash. Police on Saturday identified the second victim as 21-year-old Miguel Ortiz, a Florida man based at Oceana Naval Air Station.
The crash shut down both sides of I-264 for about five hours Friday.
Hallstrom, a patrol officer, graduated from the Norfolk Police Academy in March.
"He was a very popular officer, enjoyed his work," said Norfolk police Chief Bruce P. Marquis. "This was a dream come true to him, according to his parents."
Hallstrom's family has been involved with the Police Department for about 30 years, Marquis said. His father provides veterinary care for its K-9 unit, he said.
Both men were eject ed from the Honda during the crash, which happened shortly before 7 p.m. near the Birdneck Road exit. Ortiz died on scene, said Sgt. Michelle Cotten of the State Police. Hallstrom died at the hospital.
It was unclear who was driving, Cotten said.
The cause of the crash - and details such as whether the two men were wearing seat belts, how fast they were driving and whether alcohol was involved - will not be available until police complete their investigation, which could take several weeks, Cotten said.
The Honda was traveling east when the driver changed lanes, lost control and went off the road into the median. The car hit several trees and flipped, Cotten said.
Kathy Adams, (757) 222-5155, kathy.adams@pilotonline.com
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