One Year Later: Remembering Josie Cox, the 17-Year-Old Huguenot High School Student Killed in a Tragic Car Crash on Semmes Avenue

Accident – Death – Obituary News : RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — It has been a year since a tragic car crash claimed the life of a 17-year-old Huguenot High School student on Semmes Avenue, a road notorious for chronic speeding and crashes. The incident occurred at the intersection of West 22nd Street and Semmes Avenue on Saturday, November 26, around 3 p.m. Josie Cox, a passenger in one of the vehicles involved, tragically lost her life.

Following the crash, a juvenile male was charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving, and driving without a license. This devastating incident was just one of 14 fatal crashes that occurred in Virginia over the Thanksgiving weekend. In honor of Josie Cox, the 500 and 600 blocks of West 22nd Street have been designated as “Josie S. Cox Way.”

Even after a year, the intersection of West 22nd Street and Semmes Avenue remains marked by a memorial adorned with flowers and a cross. Residents still consider Semmes Avenue a dangerous road, despite recent improvements such as additional traffic beacons and enhanced signal visibility. Drivers continue to exceed the posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour, causing concern among local residents.

Ray Buckner, a long-time resident of Richmond, expressed his dismay at the lack of regard for safety on Semmes Avenue. He emphasized the importance of drivers recognizing the potential consequences of their actions and prioritizing the safety of themselves and others on the road.

Efforts to address the issue of speeding on Semmes Avenue have been identified as a top priority in a survey conducted by Richmond Connects, an organization dedicated to pedestrian safety. Additionally, speed cameras have recently been installed on Semmes Avenue in front of the Patrick Henry School of Science & Arts, located approximately 12 blocks away from the site of the fatal crash.

The community hopes that these measures will help deter speeding and improve overall road safety on Semmes Avenue. It is a reminder to all drivers to exercise caution and consideration for others when behind the wheel. The tragic loss of Josie Cox serves as a poignant reminder that the risks associated with reckless driving are not worth any perceived urgency or convenience..