Kaine’s SUV damaged in VITA parking lot

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine had an eventful trip to the Virginia Information Technologies Agency this morning.

The SUV that Kaine was riding in -- along with Sec. of Technology Leonard M. "Len" Pomata, Chief of Staff Wayne M. Turnage and others -- was pulling into the parking lot at the Chester headquarters when the retractable security bollards that were lowered to allow the SUV to pass shot from the ground and stopped the SUV in its tracks.

"We were driving in and the bollards popped up when they shouldn't have and they stopped the car on the spot," said Kaine spokesman Gordon Hickey, who was also in the vehicle. "Everyone was jostled around."

Hickey said there were no serious injuries, but possibly some bruises. Kaine was seen by a doctor this afternoon to be safe, Hickey said.

Because the SUV was pulling into the parking lot, it was not going very fast, he said.

"It was no big deal. We all got out of the car, walked up to the front door and the governor went through with his tour of the facility and meeting with the employees," Hickey said.

The SUV was left at VITA to be towed away. Hickey could not say how much damage was done.

Once inside, Kaine toured the facility and spoke with employees for about an hour.

-- Olympia Meola