CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. — Eleven years after a life-altering crash, Powhatan County sheriff’s deputy Brad Hughes is now using his personal tragedy to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. Hughes, whose life was forever changed by the incident, has become a vocal advocate for safety behind the wheel, sharing his story to educate others about the devastating consequences of distraction.
As Distracted Driving Awareness Month draws to a close on April 28, Hughes is reflecting on the moment that changed everything. It was on March 17, 2014, when Hughes, a former security officer in Chesterfield County, was assisting the Chesterfield Police Department at the scene of a massive 17-car pileup on Midlothian Turnpike.
Amid the chaos of the crash site, Hughes was struck by a pickup truck. He recalled the harrowing moment, saying, “I was hooked to the front of his truck, and then we crashed into another vehicle. At that point in time, I rested my face on the asphalt.” In the blink of an eye, Hughes’ life was turned upside down. His heart stopped three times, and he was left with injuries so severe that both of his legs had to be amputated.
“When I came to, my daughter walked in, looked at me, and said, ‘That’s not my father,’” Hughes remembered. For Hughes, a towering six-foot-four man, the sight of his daughter seeing him in such a vulnerable state was a poignant moment in his recovery. “Now, I’m the one looking up to her,” he said.
The physical and emotional journey to recovery was grueling, but Hughes’ resilience shone through. Instead of letting the pain define him, he turned it into a purpose. In the years following the crash, he teamed up with Drive Smart Virginia and VCU Project Impact, two organizations dedicated to promoting safe driving. Hughes now works with these groups to raise awareness about distracted driving and the life-changing consequences it can bring.
“Teaming up with Drive Smart Virginia, teaming up with VCU Project Impact, has really opened my eyes,” Hughes said. His collaboration with these organizations allows him to share his story with others, encouraging safer driving habits and a more conscientious approach to the road.
Hughes’ message is clear: “Three seconds can change your life — or take someone else’s.” Through his advocacy and personal story, he hopes to prevent others from experiencing the same fate he did. His ongoing work stands as a powerful reminder that distraction behind the wheel can have irreversible consequences, and even the smallest moment of inattention can alter lives forever.
As Distracted Driving Awareness Month comes to a close, Hughes continues to be a beacon of hope and a symbol of strength, using his own recovery as a way to help others avoid similar tragedies.
