Man struck, killed on I-295 while changing tire

HANOVER, Va. (WWBT) - A Maryland man died early Monday after a hit-and-run incident on I-295 in Hanover County.

Just after 2 a.m., Virginia State Police responded to someone lying in the travel lane of the interstate just before Exit 38B.

“The initial investigation indicates the victim’s car was broken down, and he appeared to be changing a tire on the right shoulder when he was struck by a passing vehicle,” police said in a news release.

Makai Sean Cummings, 20, died on the scene.

The victim’s family, who did not want to go on camera, told NBC12 Cummings was stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

“The simple act of changing a tire on the side of the road is that dangerous, and it happens all too frequently,” Governor Glenn Youngkin said at a media briefing on Monday.

Governor Glenn Youngkin and lawmakers carried the expansion of the move-over law that will hopefully help prevent these tragedies like this from happening in the future.

Currently, drivers are only required to make a lane change and proceed with caution, if possible, when passing emergency vehicles and law enforcement vehicles displaying red or blue flashing lights and utility, tow and roadside assistance trucks showing amber flashing lights on the roadside.

The expansion will help protect drivers by expanding the move-over requirement for all disabled vehicles on the side of the road.

A violation of the new provision to the law is punishable as a traffic infraction.

“It’s heartbreaking and can shatter a family,” AAA Spokesperson Morgan Dean said.

Dean says from 2016 to 2020, 28 people were killed in crashes in Virginia while outside of a disabled vehicle.

“Somebody has some sort of a problem, they stop on the side of the road, and they end up losing their life. That’s what we’re trying to prevent with this change of the law,” Dean said.

Delegate Chris Runion of the 25th House District has also helped carry this legislation through the General Assembly.

He says the law goes into effect starting July 1st, 2023.

“Hopefully, people will pay attention to this and take it seriously,” Runion said.

“We need help making sure people know this is what’s coming and for Virginians to do the right thing and move over,” Youngkin said.

Anyone with information on the Hanover deadly hit and run is asked to call 804-609-5656 or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov.

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