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Newport News, VA (May 4, 2026) – A Safety Service Patrol (SSP) employee was seriously injured following a crash on Saturday afternoon on Interstate 64 in Newport News.
According to the Virginia State Police, the incident occurred around 3:31 p.m. on I-64 westbound near Exit 256A. A state trooper was already on scene assisting with a disabled vehicle when an SSP vehicle arrived to help manage traffic and set up safety cones.
Authorities say the SSP employee was positioned at the rear of the patrol vehicle, retrieving cones, when he was struck by a black sedan. The trooper on scene immediately rendered aid to the injured worker. The employee sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The driver of the sedan, identified as 42-year-old Courtney G. Gibson, has been charged with reckless driving and failure to wear a seatbelt.
The crash remains under investigation.
Our thoughts are with the injured worker, and we wish him a full recovery.
Why Are Roadside Workers at High Risk?
Roadside workers, including emergency responders and service patrol crews, face significant danger while assisting motorists on busy highways. Passing vehicles traveling at high speeds, distracted driving, and failure to move over are among the leading causes of these types of incidents.
Even with warning lights, cones, and marked vehicles in place, workers remain exposed to traffic and have limited protection. In many cases, drivers may not notice stopped emergency vehicles in time, especially if visibility is reduced or if they are distracted by phones or other in-car activities.
Laws in most states require drivers to slow down and move over when approaching roadside crews, but these rules are not always followed. Increasing awareness, improving driver attentiveness, and strictly obeying “Move Over” laws are critical steps in reducing injuries and protecting those who work along roadways every day.
