A tragic crash late Saturday night on Route 288 in Goochland County claimed the life of a local woman and left several others injured. Virginia State Police confirmed that the collision happened just before 11 p.m. on September 20 near Tuckahoe Creek Parkway, when a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction slammed head-on into another car.
Investigators say the crash occurred after a northbound vehicle crossed the grassy median and entered the southbound lanes. That vehicle collided directly with a car heading southbound, causing a violent impact that shut down the highway for hours. Troopers and emergency crews arrived on scene within minutes to find multiple people hurt and one woman fatally injured.
The victim has been identified as 65-year-old Cynthia Diggs of Maidens, Virginia. Authorities confirmed that Diggs, who was driving the southbound car, died at the scene. A passenger in her vehicle was seriously hurt and taken to VCU Medical Center for treatment. Police have not provided details on the nature of those injuries.
The driver of the wrong-way vehicle, along with a passenger, were also taken to VCU Medical Center. Their conditions remain unknown, and investigators have not yet determined what caused the driver to cross over the median. Authorities are reviewing whether impairment, distraction, or another factor may have been involved, but no charges have been announced.
The crash forced all southbound lanes of Route 288 to close overnight. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reported that the highway was shut down for several hours as first responders worked to treat the injured, clear the wreckage, and allow investigators to gather evidence. The lanes reopened around 3:45 a.m. on Sunday morning.
The sudden loss of Cynthia Diggs has left her community in mourning. She was a longtime resident of Maidens, and her death has been described as a heartbreaking tragedy. State Police say the investigation is ongoing and urge anyone who may have witnessed the wrong-way vehicle before the collision to come forward. The crash highlights the dangers of head-on collisions, which are often deadly due to the combined force of two vehicles traveling at high speed.