A hit-and-run accident in Hampton, Virginia (VA), on August 22, 2015, has led to multiple felony charges against the man suspected of being the driver who caused the five-vehicle crash near the intersection of W. Mercury Boulevard and Brookfield Drive. The collision happened when the people behind the wheels of the struck cars stopped suddenly after a power line fell across the road.
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According to the Daily Press, the man named as having caused the crash was speeding. He and his passenger fled the scene on foot immediately after the collision, and police continue searching for the suspect. The three people in his car suffered injuries, as did a man and a 9-year-old boy in another vehicle.
The most serious criminal consequences would stem from failing to remain at the site of the crash after inflicting injuries. Virginia state law requires all people to wait for police and emergency medical personnel whenever a wreck occurs. One reason for this is enforcement of the moral and ethical obligation people have to render aid to others who they know are hurt. The other reason is that no one should ever be allowed to escape liability for damaging property and injuring men, women and children simply by running away.
My Virginia personal injury law firm colleagues and I hope law enforcement officials can locate and apprehend the individual responsible for this Hampton crash. In addition to holding him accountable under law, ascertaining his role in causing the crash will make him liable for settling insurance claims for medical bills and other crash-related expenses imposed on the innocent victims.
EJL