VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A teenager remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being struck while riding a bicycle near the intersection of Lynnhaven and Princess Anne Road late on July 8, according to Virginia Beach police.
Arrest follows hit-and-run
Police say the crash occurred at about 10 p.m. on July 8. Officers later arrested 20-year-old Josiah Johnson-Owens, who has been charged with hit-and-run resulting in serious injury. The juvenile victim was transported to a hospital and is fighting for his life.
Residents point to long-running safety concerns
Neighbors described the intersection as dangerous and said they have seen collisions there before. Some residents said drivers frequently travel at high speed through the area.
"A lot of people will kind of be going really fast on these roads," said neighbor Michelle Baker. "I don't really know the science behind it but I've definitely seen some accidents."
Another resident, Larry Mewborn, echoed the sentiment, saying the location has been a concern for years and recalling a previous deadly crash.
Past fatal crash and legal outcome
The intersection was the site of at least one earlier fatality. In 2024, 23-year-old James Beckles IV was struck and killed while walking his bicycle across Princess Anne and Lynnhaven roads. The driver in that incident was sentenced to three years in connection with the crash.
- Collision time and date: around 10 p.m., July 8
- Arrested: 20-year-old Josiah Johnson-Owens; charged with hit-and-run resulting in serious injury
- Historical context: 2024 fatal crash at same intersection; driver received a 3-year sentence
Local impact and next steps
With another serious injury added to the intersection's history, neighbors hope officials will review traffic safety measures for the corridor. The recent arrest resolves the immediate legal question of who fled the scene, but it leaves broader concerns about roadway design, enforcement and pedestrian and bicycle safety unresolved.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Lynnhaven & Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach |
| Date and time | July 8, about 10 p.m. |
| Suspect | Josiah Johnson-Owens, 20 |
| Victim | Juvenile bicyclist; life-threatening injuries (hospitalized) |
| Previous related incident | 2024 fatality of James Beckles IV; driver sentenced to 3 years |
As the injured teen remains in critical condition, investigators with the Virginia Beach Police Department continue their work. Residents say they will press for solutions to a pattern they say has cost lives at this intersection.
