Gone Too Soon: Midlothian Man Killed in Crash While Sitting in Traffic
Hampton, VA – June 22, 2025 — What should’ve been a normal ride turned into a nightmare for the family of Christopher Dawson, a 32-year-old man from Midlothian.
That Saturday afternoon, Christopher was riding his motorcycle on Interstate 64 East. The weather was good, traffic was slow, and he like many others had come to a full stop near the Settlers Landing Road exit because of the usual congestion. But just moments later, everything changed.
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While Christopher was sitting still, waiting for cars ahead to move, an SUV came from behind fast and didn’t stop. It smashed into him, throwing him off his bike and running him over. The crash was brutal. He was rushed to the hospital, but it was too late. Christopher didn’t survive.
Christopher wasn’t speeding. He wasn’t swerving in and out of lanes. He wasn’t being reckless. He was just following the rules and waiting in traffic like everyone else.
According to Marcus, one of his closest friends, Christopher wasn’t a crazy rider. He was careful. Always wore his helmet and was just trying to get home.
Virginia State Police say the crash happened around 2:04 p.m. Christopher had stopped behind a Nissan Murano in the left lane. The SUV that hit him a Ford Excursion was driven by Dionicio Moreno from Hampton. According to police, Moreno failed to slow down and slammed into the back of Christopher’s motorcycle.
The force of the crash threw Christopher off his bike. The SUV rolled over him.
A Family Left Broken
Christopher’s death has left his family shattered. His mother could barely speak through tears. She stated that he called her that morning, just to say hi like he always did. And now he’s gone.
His sister added that they are still in shock, they never think this kind of thing will happen to someone they love.
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Christopher wasn’t just a name on a report. He was a son, a brother, a friend. People who knew him say he was the kind of person who would help anyone, and who could brighten a room just by walking in.
A Preventable Mistake
Police say the driver of the SUV has been charged with reckless driving. They confirmed that alcohol and speeding were not involved — but it was a failure to stop in time that led to a young man losing his life.
The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office will review the case and decide if more serious charges should be filed.
“To be honest, I don’t care what the test says,” Christopher’s older brother said. “The man didn’t stop. And now my brother’s dead.”
“We’re Not Invisible”
Christopher’s death has sent a wave of sadness through the biking community. Local riders say this is a painful reminder of how dangerous the roads can be for motorcyclists even when they’re doing everything right.
“We don’t have seatbelts or airbags,” said Dave, a fellow rider who placed flowers near the crash site. “All we ask is to be seen. To be given space. That’s not too much.”
Many riders plan to honor Christopher with a memorial ride from Midlothian to Hampton next weekend. The ride will be in his name, but also in the name of every biker who’s lost their life to careless driving.
A Lesson That Came Too Late
What happened to Christopher should never have happened. It wasn’t raining. He wasn’t speeding. It wasn’t his fault. It came down to one thing: a driver not paying enough attention.
Police say this kind of crash rear-ending happens all the time. It’s one of the most common, and the most preventable, types of road accidents.
He Deserved to Make It Home
Christopher wasn’t out joyriding or taking chances. He was just stuck in traffic like the rest of us. He was trying to make it home.
But someone didn’t stop in time, and now his family is left with heartbreak and questions they’ll never get answers to.
So if you’re behind the wheel, remember this: the person in front of you has a life, a family, people who love them. Don’t take chances. Don’t assume. Slow down. Pay attention.
Because someone’s entire world is depending on it.
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