I-64 Accident in Virginia Beach Results in Tragic Death of Mother, Child | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

Sandra D. Amaya and her 12-year-old daughter (Virginian Pilot, 09-26-13) were traveling down Interstate 64 (I-64), west of Indian River Road, to visit family that was in town from California. Unfortunately, they never made it to their destination and their lives came to an abrupt and tragic end. A pickup truck reportedly crossed the median and slammed into Mrs. Amaya’s vehicle.

Both Mrs. Amaya and her daughter died at the scene of the crash. Mrs. Amaya was a Virginia Beach resident and 31 years old. As mentioned above, her daughter was only 12 years old, according to the Pilot article.

Here is a news report on this tragic accident:

The exact cause of this terrible accident remains a mystery. Was the driver of the pickup truck distracted? Were they intoxicated? Was there a mechanical issue? We cannot say definitively at this time. We do know that the driver of the pickup truck, a Chesapeake resident, was out on bond awaiting trial in Chesapeake Circuit Court on two felony charges, according to the Pilot article. In addition, he had past convictions for traffic violations ranging from not having a driver’s license to speeding.

Our deepest condolences go out to the Amaya family. Losing someone you love is never easy, but the pain is made even worse when the loss is sudden and unexpected. Not only did Mrs. Amaya lose her life, but so did a young girl who had her whole life ahead of her. This is an awful tragedy.

Unfortunately, far too many Virginians have to struggle with this type of tragedy. In 2012, approximately 775 people were killed in automobile accidents in the Commonwealth. That’s an increase from 764 in 2011, according to the Virginia DMV.


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