CORRECTION: This article has been updated to clarify information provided by the Newport News Police about who might be charged in the collision. The motorcyclist was not charged.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — A sheriff’s deputy faces a traffic violation — along with a lawsuit — following a crash involving the deputy’s vehicle and a motorcycle earlier this week on Jefferson Avenue.
City police confirmed Friday that the deputy was charged with improper lane change. 10 On Your Side learned the name of the deputy, Rhonda J. Taylor, from a lawsuit filed by the motorcyclist, Nathan Myers of Williamsburg.
The $250,000 lawsuit alleges negligence by Taylor in causing Myers’ injuries, pain and suffering as well as loss of income as a truck driver.
Myers was taken to Riverside Medical Center, and the lawsuit says he will need ongoing medical care. Taylor was unhurt.
But the lawsuit claims this is only the latest of Taylor’s traffic violations. It lists 12 previous incidents beginning in 2001 through 2019 — with at least two of those resulting in accidents.
The lawsuit goes on to claim that the responding police officer who handled Tuesday’s accident report visited Myers in the hospital — telling him that Taylor’s bodycam and dashcam show that Taylor was at fault.
The man whom 10 On Your Side interviewed Tuesday who shot the cell phone video, Michael Dupree, posted a message to Myers that “she crossed lanes and jumped right in front of you” — referring to Taylor. 10 On Your Side reached out to the Newport News Sheriff’s Office and they told us they do not comment on pending litigation.
Dupree said “it seemed like an accident waiting to happen” and is calling for drivers to slow down.
That’s what Dupree recalled about his morning commute in Newport News. Dupree says he was driving on Jefferson Avenue when he noticed a motorcycle and a SUV driving rather fast.
“When I saw the guy on the motorcycle, I said, ‘Wow, they don’t stop fast enough to be going right there,’ and so I slowed down and said they are not gonna hit me,” Dupree said.
Dupree said not even a split second after he moved to the other lane, an crash happened between the motorcyclist and a Newport News deputy in a patrol car on Jefferson Avenue near Boykins Lane.
“He tried to swerve, but she was swerving too, and it was lights out,” he said.
Dupree shot video of the aftermath. Newport News Police said the deputy’s vehicle and a motorcyclist collided in the area of Jefferson Avenue and Boykin Lane around 7:30 Tuesday morning. The video shows the officer checking on the man on the ground. Police said the man on the motorcycle was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover from his injuries. The deputy was not hurt.
“For her to get out and do what she did, she’s human,” Dupree said.
Dupree views this as an opportunity to remind all drivers to slow down when roads are wet.
“If you don’t wanna be in that position I suggest you go 10 or 15 miles [per hour] under the speed limit and be careful of all your surroundings,” Dupree said.
Three southbound lanes of traffic on Jefferson Avenue were closed while police responded to the crash.
