Norfolk, VA — July 13, 2025, one person was injured in a car accident at about 8:30 p.m. on westbound Interstate 64 near the Interstate 264 interchange.
Authorities said a trailer hitch came off a white Ford Super Duty pickup and crashed through the windshield of the Honda Civic traveling behind it, hitting the passenger in the face.
The passenger, a 29-year-old Newport News woman, was airlifted to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to authorities. Her name has not been made public yet.
No other injuries were reported.
Authorities are still searching for the pickup involved in the crash.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
After violent crashes, it’s natural to wonder how something so sudden and avoidable could happen. In moments like these, looking deeper into the mechanics of the incident is more than just about assigning blame; it’s about understanding whether every safeguard was in place and every warning sign was missed.
Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? When a flying object causes catastrophic injury, the investigative lens must go far beyond documenting impact points and taking witness statements. In this case, tracking down a white pickup that reportedly lost its trailer hitch should be a top priority. But simply identifying the vehicle isn’t enough. Investigators should also be reconstructing the event: Was the hitch secured properly? Was the driver aware it detached? Did law enforcement employ roadway video surveillance or canvass nearby businesses for footage that might pinpoint the truck’s path? These steps take time, effort and coordination, things that can sometimes fall through the cracks when resources are limited.
Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? A trailer hitch coming loose is no minor mishap; it suggests either user error or a mechanical problem. It’s essential to explore whether the hitch itself was defective or improperly installed. If there was a manufacturing flaw or faulty aftermarket part involved, it could mean this wasn’t just a freak accident but a failure that might impact many others. Without inspecting the hardware involved, assuming it’s recovered at all, those questions remain unanswered.
Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Even if the truck isn’t immediately found, there’s still a digital trail that might be helpful. If the truck was part of a commercial or fleet operation, it could be tracked through GPS or service logs. On the other end, any nearby traffic cameras might have caught the moment the hitch detached, while dashcams or toll sensors could fill in timing and location gaps. Getting this data quickly is crucial before it’s overwritten or disappears entirely.
This kind of crash shows how a single loose part can upend lives. That’s why it matters to keep asking hard questions; not just about what happened, but how it was allowed to happen in the first place.
Takeaways:
- Investigators should prioritize identifying the truck and fully reconstructing how the hitch came loose.
- Mechanical failure or product defects must be considered, especially with parts designed to carry heavy loads.
- Camera footage and digital tracking data could hold vital clues and should be gathered without delay.
