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NEWPORT NEWS, Newport News County, VA, Sept. 23, 2026 — A man was hospitalized after a car struck him in a crosswalk Wednesday morning, September 23, in Newport News. The Newport News Police Department said the crash happened at the intersection of 67th St and Huntington Ave.
Officers were called to the intersection just before 5 a.m. for a report of a car striking a pedestrian, according to police. Responding officers found a male victim at the scene.
He was taken to a hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening, the authorities mentioned. His identity has not been released.
The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigation, according to the report. That driver was issued a summons for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, police said.
No further details have been released.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
What Makes Early Morning Pedestrian Crashes So Severe
Speed is only part of the story in a car-versus-pedestrian crash. What matters most is the size and weight gap between a vehicle and a pedestrian, and the fact that a car's front end, hood, and bumper are only built to manage impact with another vehicle, so there is little structure there designed to cushion a pedestrian.
Darkness compounds that gap: before sunrise or after sunset, a driver's ability to spot someone in a crosswalk drops sharply, especially where street lighting is limited or a pedestrian is wearing dark clothing. Headlights illuminate a narrow field ahead, and by the time a driver visually registers a person stepping off a curb, the distance needed to stop safely may already be gone. Reaction time does not change with the light level, but the available warning does.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian deaths accounted for 18 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2023. Low-light conditions are a recurring factor in that toll, because visibility, not just vehicle speed, impacts on whether a driver can react before contact happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can drivers lower the chance of hitting someone on foot?
Slowing down near intersections and crosswalks, scanning both sides of the road, and giving extra attention during dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours all help. Pedestrians are harder to see in low light, so reducing speed increases the time available to stop.
What injuries typically result from pedestrian crashes?
Common injuries include fractures, head and spinal trauma, and internal injuries, largely because a pedestrian has no structure to absorb the impact the way a vehicle occupant does.
What usually causes these crashes?
Failure to yield at crosswalks, distracted driving, low visibility, and speed are frequently cited factors, according to national crash data.
Does vehicle speed affect whether a pedestrian survives?
Yes. Survival odds drop sharply as impact speed rises, because both the force of the collision and the stopping distance increase.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Newport News, VA
Anyone involved in or witnessing a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately so injuries can be assessed and treated. Even if injuries seem minor at first, a medical evaluation is important, since some injuries, particularly to the head or internal organs, are not immediately obvious.
Stay at the scene if it's safe to do so, and cooperate with responding officers. If you're a witness, providing a clear account to police can help the investigation. Anyone with information about a pedestrian crash in Newport News is encouraged to contact the Newport News Police Department.
