PORTSMOUTH, Va. - A woman was killed after her car crashed into a tree in the Churchland section of Portsmouth early Thursday morning.
The accident happened near the intersection of Merrifields Blvd. and River Shore Road around 3:45 a.m.
A cousin says the driver is Alicia Smith-Hambrick, a mother of three that lives right down the road from where the crash happened.
"We're so close to Mother's Day, says Alina Taylor, Alicia's cousin. "You never know that when you go to sleep at night or lay down, that you could wake up to that type of news."
No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
Taylor says she believes it was just a freak accident. Now she says she is living life like Alicia would, and never taking another second for granted.
"She's a beautiful girl, had the best spirit, she loved people, just in general had a very infectious smile. She thought that everyone was special and everyone had something they had to offer, and we all try to do that everyday," says Taylor. "Just hug your kids a little tighter this Mother's Day, let your mom know you appreciate her a little more this Mother's Day, because we never know."
Portsmouth Police say the cause of the crash is still under investigation at this time.
Alicia's I.C. Norcom High School Class of '93 classmates say they are dedicating the weekly Jazz Night at the College Drive Applebee's to Alicia and to support her family.
The event is from 9 to midnight tonight.
