A tragic collision occurred on January 23, 2024, in Rockingham County, Virginia, resulting in one fatality and another person injured. According to Virginia State Police reports, the incident took place on Route 33 when a 2006 Honda Civic traveling eastbound failed to stop at a red light. The Honda collided with a Ford vehicle that was attempting to make a left turn at the intersection. The female driver of the Honda, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, sustained life-threatening injuries and was rushed to Sentara Medical Center, where she unfortunately succumbed to her injuries. The Ford's driver, a 21-year-old male resident of Elkton, Virginia, was wearing his seatbelt and suffered minor injuries. He received treatment at Sentara RMH Medical Center. Virginia State Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The intersection where this tragic incident occurred is situated along Route 33, a major east-west corridor through Rockingham County that serves as a crucial connection between Harrisonburg and Elkton. This thoroughfare experiences substantial daily traffic volume, particularly during peak commuting hours, as it connects residential areas with commercial districts and serves as a primary route for both local and regional traffic. The intersection is equipped with standard traffic signal controls and turn lanes to manage the flow of vehicles. The surrounding area features a mix of commercial and residential developments, with several businesses and community facilities nearby, contributing to regular traffic patterns throughout the day.

Under Virginia law, failure to obey traffic signals is considered a serious traffic violation under Code § 46.2-833. In fatal accident cases like this, survivors and family members generally have two years from the date of the incident to file any personal injury or wrongful death claims, as stipulated by Virginia's statute of limitations. Insurance considerations typically involve both liability coverage and potential uninsured/underinsured motorist protection. Virginia follows a modified comparative negligence system, where recovering damages may be affected by each party's degree of fault. Compensation might include medical expenses, funeral costs, lost wages, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, though specific amounts depend on individual case circumstances. An experienced Rockingham County personal injury lawyer(link is external) will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Related Resources: Sentara RMH Medical Center Emergency Services (540) 689-1000 1921 Medical Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Rockingham County Sheriff's Office (540) 564-3800 25 South Liberty Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Virginia State Police - Division 2 (Culpeper) (540) 829-7766

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles - Crash Report Services www.dmv.virginia.gov(link is external)

Virginia Victim/Witness Program (804) 786-4000

Virginia Highway Safety Office www.dmv.virginia.gov/safety/(link is external)

Brain Injury Association of Virginia (804) 355-5748 www.biav.net(link is external)