Virginia State Police www.vsp.virginia.gov Media Release News Release No. 1 For Immediate Release: January 28, 2015 VIRGINIA STATE POLICE REMIND DRIVERS: HIT-AND-RUN CRASHES ARE ILLEGAL RICHMOND – In the past two months, five pedestrians and one bicyclist have been struck and killed in eight hit-and-run traffic crashes across the Commonwealth. Due to this alarming rash of fatal crashes involving drivers fleeing the scene, the Virginia State Police is reminding motorists that state law prohibits a driver from leaving an accident scene that involves “…injury or death of a person, or damage to attended property.” Code of Virginia 46.2-894 (http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-894) states, “The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident in which a person is killed or injured or in which an attended vehicle or other attended property is damaged shall immediately stop as close to the scene of the accident as possible without obstructing traffic…The driver shall also render reasonable assistance to any person injured in such accident, including taking such injured person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital if it is apparent that medical treatment is necessary or is requested by the injured person. Where, because of injuries sustained in the accident, the driver is prevented from complying with the foregoing provisions of this section, the driver shall, as soon as reasonably possible, make the required report to the State Police or local law-enforcement agency and make a reasonable effort to locate the person struck, or the driver or some other occupant of the vehicle collided with, or the custodian of the damaged property, and report to such person or persons his name, address, driver's license number, and vehicle registration number.” Any person convicted of a violation of this state law is guilty of (i) a Class 5 felony if the accident results in injury to or the death of any person, or if the accident results in more than $1000 of damage to property or (ii) a Class 1 misdemeanor if the accident results in damage of $1000 or less to property. A Class 5 felony carries a sentence of one to 10 years of confinement in jail or no more than one year and/or a fine of no more than $2,500. A class 1 misdemeanor carries a sentence of up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500. “The law is clear,” said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “If you have or think you have struck a person, another vehicle, or property, then you are required to stop at the scene. You are required to render aid if necessary or if you are able to, and remain at the scene until a trooper, officer or deputy arrives. The fact that this many drivers are striking a fellow human being and leaving that individual in the roadway to die and, in several cases, be struck again by other vehicles, is not just illegal but inhumane.” The hit-and-run traffic crashes currently under investigation by Virginia State Police are as follows: Dec. 1, 2014 – Frederick County, Va.: A 71-year-old Gore, Va., male pedestrian was struck and killed on Gore Road. Arrest is pending. Dec. 19, 2014 – Frederick County, Va.: A 15-year-old Clearbrook, Va., male pedestrian was struck and killed on Rest Church Road. Arrest is pending. -CONTINUEDRegional Media Contacts Statewide (804)674-2789 Richmond (804)553-3494 Culpeper (540)829-7713 Appomattox (434)352-7128 Wytheville (276)228-3131 Chesapeake (757)424-6827 Salem/Roanoke (540)375-9598 Fairfax (804)674-2789 Find VSP on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/VirginiaStatePolice irginia State Police www.vsp.virginia.gov Media Release Dec. 22, 2014 – Henry County, Va.: A 66-year-old Bassett, Va., man was struck and killed while riding his bicycle on Route 220. Search for suspect vehicle continues. Dec. 31, 2014 – Louisa County, Va.: A 35-year-old Bumpass, Va., male pedestrian was struck and killed on Willis Proffit Road. A 20-year-old Louisa man was arrested and charged with felony hit-and-run. Jan. 1, 2015 – Stafford County, Va.: A 37-year-old Triangle, Va., male pedestrian was struck and severely injured in a crosswalk at Garrisonville Road and Brafferton Boulevard. Search for suspect vehicle continues. Jan. 8, 2015 – Rockingham County, Va.: A 43-year-old Oregon female pedestrian was struck and killed on North Valley Pike. Search for suspect vehicle continues. Jan. 15, 2015 – York County, Va.: A 47-year-old Seaford, Va., female pedestrian was struck while jogging along Coventry Boulevard. She was not injured. Search for suspect vehicle continues. Jan. 20, 2015 – Greene County, Va.: A 30-year-old Stanardsville, Va., male pedestrian was struck and killed on Route 29. Search for suspect vehicle continues. As several of these hit-and-run crashes are still under investigation, the public is encouraged to call Virginia State Police on a cell phone at #77 or dial 911 with any information or tips concerning any one of these incidents. Avoiding and preventing traffic crashes is the responsibility of all individuals using a roadway. Simply #DrivetoSaveLives: Pedestrians are advised to wear bright clothing. To maximize your visibility at night, wear reflective vests, when available. Dusk and dawn are the most dangerous times of the day for pedestrians. Make sure to use crosswalks and sidewalks, whenever available. Bicyclists are also advised to wear a helmet and bright, reflective clothing. Also, make certain the bike is equipped with reflectors and a light, if/when riding in the dark. Bicyclists are required to ride with traffic and to ride defensively by anticipating the actions of other road users and watch for road hazards. Vehicles are required to safely and responsibly share the road with pedestrians, motorcycles and bicyclists. Drivers must remain alert, especially at dawn, dusk and night, for walkers, joggers, bicyclists and motorcyclists. In 2014, the Virginia General Assembly passed a law requiring all vehicles to give at least three feet when passing a bicyclist on the road.