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Newport News, VA (August 4, 2026) – A 93-year-old woman died, and two others were injured on Sunday morning, August 2, after a Chevrolet Sonic making a left turn at Jefferson Avenue and Fort Eustis Boulevard was struck by a southbound Dodge Ram pickup, according to police. The wreck happened around 9:35 a.m. just south of Newport News Park.
Beverly Ann Hudgin, the Sonic’s front-seat passenger, had to be extricated by medics and was taken to the hospital, where she later died. The Sonic’s driver, a 72-year-old woman, and the pickup’s driver, a 35-year-old man, both Newport News residents, were treated for injuries not considered life-threatening.
Speed, alcohol, and drugs do not appear to be factors, police said. Which vehicle had the right of way remains under investigation. Traffic was diverted for about five hours before all lanes reopened at 2:55 p.m. No charges had been filed as of Monday afternoon.
Our condolences go out to Hudgin’s family and loved ones.
Why Are Left-Turn Crashes Especially Dangerous for Older Passengers?
A left turn across oncoming traffic asks a driver to judge speed and distance in a narrow window, and even a small miscalculation can result in a side-impact collision. Passengers on the side of the vehicle closest to the point of contact face the greatest risk, since there’s less structure between them and the other vehicle.
Age can also play a role in outcomes following a crash like this, since older adults are generally more susceptible to serious injury from the same level of force that a younger person might withstand with less harm. This is one reason medical response for elderly passengers includes extra caution during extrication and transport.
Investigators typically examine traffic signal timing and each driver’s line of sight to determine who had the right of way at a specific intersection. This kind of review helps clarify not just fault, but whether visibility or timing contributed to the crash.
