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RICHMOND, Richmond County, Va., Sept. 27, 2026 — A Petersburg man died late on Friday night, September 25, after a hit-and-run driver struck his motorcycle on an interstate ramp in Richmond, according to Virginia State Police. The driver of the striking vehicle fled and has not been found.
The crash happened between about 11:20 and 11:27 p.m. on the ramp connecting westbound I-64 to southbound I-95. Investigators said a dark-colored SUV hit a 2025 Harley-Davidson FLTRX motorcycle, throwing the rider off the bike.
The motorcyclist, identified by state police as Ashtain Noel Davis, 28, of Petersburg, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to the report.
Investigators believe the same SUV may have also struck a Toyota Camry before leaving the scene. Based on witness accounts and debris left behind, they think the vehicle is a dark blue or black 2014 to 2019 Jeep Cherokee or Compass, possibly with front and rear damage and a missing side mirror.
The crash remains under investigation. Virginia State Police Division 1 dispatch is asking anyone with information to call them.
We are deeply sorry for the loss suffered by the victim's family.
Where Motorcycle Hit-and-Run Crashes Tend to Happen
Interstate ramps and merge points like the one where this crash happened are common trouble spots for motorcyclists. Traffic speeds change quickly as vehicles slow to merge or accelerate onto another highway, and drivers checking mirrors and blind spots for cars usually miss a motorcycle's narrower profile entirely.
Hit-and-run crashes involving motorcycles also cluster on multi-lane roads and interchanges where a driver can peel off onto another route within seconds and disappear into traffic before anyone gets a plate number. Poor lighting at night, as in this crash, makes it harder for witnesses to identify a vehicle and easier for a driver to leave without stopping.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 34 percent of motorcycle riders in fatal crashes had no valid motorcycle license in 2023. That statistic points to a broader pattern in fatal motorcycle crashes generally, not to any detail of this case, but it reflects how licensing and rider preparation factor into crash outcomes nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What typically causes motorcycle accidents?
Common factors include drivers failing to see a motorcycle in traffic, unsafe lane changes, speeding, and vehicles merging or turning without checking properly for a rider nearby.
Why do motorcycle crashes tend to cause more serious injuries?
Riders have no frame, airbags, or seatbelt to absorb an impact. A collision that a car occupant might walk away from can throw a rider onto pavement or into another vehicle.
How do left-turning vehicles cause crashes with motorcycles?
A driver turning left across traffic may misjudge a motorcycle's speed or distance, or simply not see it, and turn directly into its path. This is one of the most frequent causes of car-motorcycle collisions at intersections.
What can drivers do to spot motorcycles more reliably?
Checking mirrors and blind spots twice, allowing extra following distance, and scanning intersections and ramps specifically for motorcycles, which are easy to overlook, can help avoid these collisions.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Hit-and-Run in Richmond, VA
If you witness or are involved in a hit-and-run crash, try to note the fleeing vehicle's color, make, model, and any visible damage or partial plate number, then call 911 right away. Stay at the scene if it's safe to do so and wait for law enforcement to arrive and take a report.
Anyone injured in a motorcycle crash should get a medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor at first, since some symptoms take hours or days to appear. Keep records of any treatment, and file a report with local police if one hasn't already been taken. Cooperating with investigators and sharing any dashcam or cellphone footage can also help identify a driver who left the scene.
