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VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia Beach County, Va., Sept. 29, 2026 — One man died and another was hospitalized early Saturday morning, September 26, after a driver accused of drunk driving reportedly struck them in Virginia Beach. The crash happened around 1:30 a.m. in the 200 block of 21st Street.
Officers who responded found two adult male pedestrians at the scene, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department. One man was pronounced dead there. The second was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Investigators say the driver did not stop where the pedestrians were struck and continued across Atlantic Avenue before hitting a concrete barrier and coming to a stop. The driver, identified by police as 35-year-old Taiese Gaono of Jacksonville, was taken to a hospital along with a passenger from his vehicle, both for treatment of injuries.
Police say speed and alcohol are suspected factors in the crash. Gaono was arrested and charged with DUI, DUI manslaughter and DUI maiming.
The investigation is ongoing, according to the department. We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim, and wish those injured a full recovery.
What Makes Pedestrian Crashes So Severe
A pedestrian has no frame, no crumple zone and no airbag. Whatever protection exists in a crash belongs entirely to the vehicle, which means the difference in mass and speed between car and person decides most of what happens on impact. A vehicle traveling well above a walking pace transfers enormous energy in a fraction of a second, and there is little a person's body can do to absorb it.
The height and shape of a vehicle's front end also matter. Lower hoods, common in sedans, tend to strike a pedestrian's legs and hips, often knocking them onto the hood. Taller front ends, common in SUVs and pickup trucks, strike higher on the torso or chest and are more likely to knock a person down and then run over them instead of up and over the hood. Design engineers and safety researchers have studied this difference for years because it changes the pattern and severity of harm in ways speed alone doesn't explain.
Speed changes stopping distance and reaction time as much as it changes the force of impact. A driver who is impaired loses time on both ends: the time it takes to notice a person in the roadway and the time it takes to brake. That combination, more mass, more speed, less reaction time, is what separates a near-miss from a fatal crash.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities decreased 7.6 percent from 13,458 in 2022 to 12,429 in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can drivers do to avoid hitting a pedestrian?
Slowing down in areas with foot traffic, scanning sidewalks and crosswalks before turning, and avoiding any distraction behind the wheel all give a driver more time to react. Impairment of any kind removes that margin.
What injuries are common in pedestrian crashes?
Traumatic brain injury, broken bones, spinal injury and internal injuries are common, since a pedestrian has no structure around them to absorb the impact.
What usually causes these crashes?
Speeding, impaired driving, distraction and failure to yield at crosswalks are frequently cited factors, often in combination rather than alone.
Does speed really change survival odds?
Yes. Lower speeds give drivers more time to stop and reduce the energy transferred in a crash, which is why survival rates drop sharply as vehicle speed increases.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Virginia Beach, VA
Anyone involved in or witnessing a pedestrian crash should call 911 immediately so police and medical crews can respond. Even injuries that seem minor at first, such as soreness or a headache, should be evaluated by a doctor, since some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms.
If you're a witness, staying at the scene to give a statement to police can help investigators piece together what happened. Photos of the scene, vehicle positions and any visible skid marks can also be useful if you're able to safely take them. Cooperating fully with the responding department's investigation gives the case the best chance of a clear, accurate record.
