JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. — A 20-year-old Williamsburg man died after investigators in James City County said a semi-truck hit him on Christmas Eve.
Loved ones are now sharing their precious memories of Joshua Barkley.
“Supporting each other, God gives us strength," said Barkley's aunt Sheila McCaffity.
McCaffity and Barkley’s other aunt, Lisa Crow, said he brought so much joy to their family.
“He lived life to the fullest," said Crow.
“Always smiling and he gave the best hugs," McCaffity added.
A spokesperson for the James City County Police Department said a semi-truck hit Barkley on Richmond Road around 12:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve. Investigators said the accident happened after Barkley went to pick up items from the road and did not see the truck heading toward him.
He was 19 at the time of the accident. Police said medical staff removed Barkley from life support on December 26, just a day after he turned 20 on Christmas Day.
Barkley’s sister Brittany Thurman told 13News Now her parents adopted her brother just before her 15th birthday, and growing up, he always felt like her baby too. She said he made any moment fun with goofy antics or silly dances.
She said he also has a baby son arriving in February.
Thurman started a public Facebook page for family and friends to share their memories and photos. Many of them are talking about Barkley’s passion for football and are posting pictures of him when he played for Warhill High School in Williamsburg. Thurman said he graduated in 2022.
McCaffity said she’ll cherish every memory with her nephew.
“He was little, maybe three, and I would call him, I would say, 'Hey chicken nugget,'" McCaffity said. "And he would fall out laughing and giggling, laughing and giggling.”
She said the family is leaning on each other through this tough time.
"We have our moments," McCaffity said. "We cry on each other's shoulders, and we pray.”
Detectives said their investigation determined the semi-truck driver tried maneuvering to avoid hitting Barkley. At this time, investigators do not expect the driver to face any charges.