Update to Pedestrian and Vehicle Accident

Update to Pedestrian and Vehicle Accident

Published February 23, 2021

Dear Shipbuilders,
I have sad news to share as a follow-up from my message on Feb. 18 about the pedestrian and vehicle accident that occurred last Thursday. Sadly, we have learned the subcontractor passed away over the weekend. Please join me in keeping her loved ones and co-workers in your thoughts and prayers.

A number of you have shared your concerns about this accident and about shift change behaviors you witness daily. Please take this moment to recommit to staying alert as thousands of people come and go from the shipyard each day and night. The combination of pedestrian and vehicle traffic at every shift change requires our attention – that we put our phones down and that we obey the marked traffic controls whether walking or driving.

And, if you see others being unsafe, please remind them of this recent accident. Being uncomfortable about speaking up is better than regretting otherwise.

We are our brother’s and sister’s keepers, and looking out for one another is one way we can guard against this from happening again.

Respectfully,
Jennifer Boykin
President
Newport News Shipbuilding