CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Two motorcycle riders have died in two separate crashes in 48 hours, one in Chesterfield County and the other in Prince George County.
One of those riders killed was 18-year-old George N. Gravely of Chesterfield. He was involved in a three-vehicle crash at the intersection of Hicks Road and Cardiff Lane around 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24.
According to police, Gravely hit a car stopped at the intersection, crossed into oncoming traffic and hit another car head-on. Gravely later died at a nearby hospital.
Sixteen-year-old Ayden Cardona lives in Bexley Neighborhood behind Hicks Road and he was home when the crash happened.
“I was in my room playing a game with my friends, and then I heard a loud bang — and then I heard another one, like, right after,” said Cardona. “We walked up the road and we saw a dude’s helmet and his clothing all over the road and the motorcycle was like demolished.”
Following this incident, there was another deadly crash on Oakland Boulevard in Prince George County around 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25.
Police said 45-year-old Terry Bell Jr. of Dinwiddie ran a red light at an intersection and hit a Ford Explorer, adding that speed was a factor. He also later died at a local hospital.
In 2023, Chesterfield had the highest number of motorcycle-related crashes with 68. Richmond had 58, Henrico had 40, Hanover had 20 and Prince George County had only 5.
Cardona said traffic is already heavy on Hicks Road. When speed is added to the mix, it can be deadly.
“I hear them all night, like, going fast — yeah, it’s mainly motorcycles,” Cardona said. “Slow down, because you’re going to get to the destination eventually. It’s just — you don’t got to risk dying just to get there faster.”
Chesterfield and Prince George Police are still investigating both crashes.
The Virginia DMV gives these tips for motorcyclists and drivers to minimize crashes.
