A junior sailor died late last month in a Virginia Beach motorcycle accident, according to Navy and police officials.
Fire Controlman Seaman Isaiah Rashon Johnson, 19, was riding a motorcycle southbound on Oceana Boulevard at about 5 p.m. on Jan. 30 when it crossed the median into oncoming traffic and struck a Jeep, ejecting him from the bike, according to Virginia Beach police.
Johnson died at the scene, according to the accident report.
An Oklahoma native, Johnson had been a student at the Center for Surface Combat Systems in Dam Neck, Virginia, since November.
Service records indicate that he enlisted in early 2018.
Johnson’s death became the Navy’s 10th private motor vehicle fatality since Oct. 1, according to the Naval Safety Center. It’s also at least the fifth motorcycle-related fatality in Fiscal Year 2019.
Johnson’s mother, Patti Curtis, told Navy Times that her son loved sports and was a hard worker.
“Isaiah was so much more than a passing news story,” she said in a message. “He is my baby, a big brother, a grandson, a nephew, a friend, a Sailor, an outstanding individual.”
Geoff is the managing editor of Military Times, but he still loves writing stories. He covered Iraq and Afghanistan extensively and was a reporter at the Chicago Tribune. He welcomes any and all kinds of tips at geoffz@militarytimes.com.
