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NORFOLK, Norfolk County, Va., Sept. 25, 2026 — One person has died, and two others were reportedly in life-threatening condition after a two-vehicle crash on Thursday morning, September 24, on North Military Highway in Norfolk.
Norfolk Police said officers responded around 9:06 a.m. to the 2700 block of North Military Highway for a crash between a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Hyundai Elantra. Preliminary findings indicate the Jeep was headed north on Military Highway when the Hyundai pulled out of a parking lot and into its path, according to the police.
Both drivers and a passenger riding in the Hyundai were taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. One of the three later died, while the other two remained in life-threatening condition. The identity of the person who died has not been released; officials said it will be made public once next of kin are notified.
North Military Highway was shut down in both directions between Robin Hood Road and Azalea Garden Road while investigators worked the scene. It has since reopened. The crash remains under investigation, and no cause has been officially confirmed.
Our condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased.
A Common Misconception About Left-Turn and Path-Crossing Crashes
Many drivers assume that crashes involving a vehicle entering traffic from a lot or side street are minor, low-speed events because one car is barely moving at the start. In practice, the severity comes from the vehicle already in the roadway, which is usually moving at or near the speed limit when the paths cross. The resulting impact can be as forceful as a highway-speed collision, particularly on a road like North Military Highway where traffic regularly moves at 35 to 45 mph.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28,595 large-truck occupants were injured in multi-vehicle crashes involving large trucks in 2023. That figure reflects a broader pattern seen across multi-vehicle crash types: when two vehicles occupy the same space at speed, injuries to occupants in both cars are common, not an exception tied to one specific vehicle type or maneuver.
The other misconception is that these crashes are always someone "pulling out too fast." Sightlines, parked cars, sun glare, and traffic gaps all play a role, and investigators typically need time to reconstruct exactly how and when each vehicle entered the intersection point before assigning a cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors make a crash like this more likely to be fatal?
Speed differential between vehicles, the angle of impact, and whether occupants were restrained all affect survivability. A vehicle entering a road at a right angle to fast-moving traffic usually produces a side-impact collision, which offers less structural protection than a front-end crash.
How does speed affect survivability in a crash?
Even modest increases in speed sharply raise the energy involved in a collision. A crash at 45 mph is far more severe than one at 25 mph, and the difference usually determines whether injuries are survivable.
Why does seat belt use matter so much in crashes like this?
Seat belts keep occupants in position during a collision and reduce the chance of being thrown against the interior of the vehicle or ejected. In side-impact and path-crossing crashes, proper restraint use is one of the biggest factors separating survivable outcomes from fatal ones.
What should families do after a fatal crash like this?
Families can request the official crash report from the investigating agency once it's finalized, and can contact the department's public information office for updates on next-of-kin notification and any further findings.
What to Do After a Two-Vehicle Crash in Norfolk, VA
If you're involved in or witness a crash like this, call 911 immediately and stay clear of traffic lanes if it's safe to do so. Even if injuries seem minor at first, seek a medical evaluation, since some injuries from a collision aren't obvious right away.
Cooperate with responding officers and provide a clear, factual account of what you saw or experienced. If you're a family member seeking information after a serious crash, reach out directly to Norfolk Police for updates, and give investigators time to complete their work before concluding fault.
