Teen wounded on Lynnhaven Parkway dies; investigation continues
VIRGINIA BEACH — A 16-year-old bicyclist who suffered life-threatening injuries in a hit-and-run on Lynnhaven Parkway died Saturday, Virginia Beach police said Monday, closing the hospital chapter of a case that began Wednesday night but leaving questions for the community about roadway safety and driver responsibility.
Police say the crash happened about 9:45 p.m. Wednesday in the 2000 block of Lynnhaven Parkway. First responders found the teen, later identified at a vigil as Tremayne "T.J." Nicholson, with critical injuries. He was taken to a hospital where he later died.
Authorities arrested 20-year-old Josiah Johnson-Owens and charged him with a felony hit-and-run and a misdemeanor for operating without insurance. Police said the vehicle left the scene before officers arrived. Court documents say Johnson-Owens drove to a Target parking lot, then left his vehicle at an apartment complex near Holland Road. He later returned to the scene with family members and confessed to involvement, telling investigators the traffic light was turning yellow when the collision occurred. Investigators determined the bicyclist did not have the right of way and said they would not seek additional charges against Johnson-Owens.
- Victim: Tremayne "T.J." Nicholson, 16
- Suspect: Josiah Johnson-Owens, 20; charged with felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor no insurance
- Location: 2000 block of Lynnhaven Parkway
- Time of crash: About 9:45 p.m. Wednesday; death announced Saturday
"There are no words to express the pain and sorrow our family is experiencing. While we had hoped and prayed for a miracle, we are now left mourning the loss of a beloved son, family member, and friend whose life touched so many people."
The quote above appears in a family statement posted beneath a GoFundMe page originally created to help with medical costs. The family said proceeds will now also be used to cover funeral arrangements.
Local implications and context
Hit-and-run crashes carry deep consequences for victims and neighborhoods. In this case, police moved quickly to locate and charge a suspect, yet the family and classmates have been left to grapple with a sudden loss and the public process that follows. The decision by investigators not to pursue additional charges stemmed from their finding that the bicyclist did not have the right of way; that determination shaped the legal path forward for the suspect.
Traffic safety on major corridors such as Lynnhaven Parkway is a persistent concern for Virginia Beach officials and residents, including interactions between drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians after dark. This crash and its outcome are likely to prompt renewed attention to visibility, signaling at intersections, and enforcement around busy thoroughfares.
A timeline of the known events is below:
| Date/Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, ~9:45 p.m. | Bicyclist struck in 2000 block of Lynnhaven Parkway; vehicle left scene |
| Saturday | Victim declared dead at hospital |
| Following days | Suspect located; charged with felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor no insurance |
As the family mourns, the case remains in the hands of local prosecutors and courts. For neighbors and students mourning at the Salem High School vigil, the loss is immediate and personal — a reminder that roadway incidents ripple through families, schools and local routines. Police have provided the facts they have gathered; wider questions about intersection design or lighting will fall to city officials and traffic engineers to review if the community asks for changes.
Anyone with information about the crash who has not yet spoken with authorities is asked to contact the Virginia Beach Police Department. The family’s GoFundMe continues to accept donations to help cover medical and funeral expenses.
