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Virginia Driver Charged with Reckless Driving Following Accident with Ambulance

Crash on I-95, Three Injured, Local Man Arrested

Virginia Teen Dies in Crash, Five Other Injured

Driver Crashed into ABC Store, Cited for Reckless Driving

A 22-year-old woman caused $3,500 worth of damage to a Hampton, VA ABC store.  Police say she ran her 2010 Toyota Camry into the building around 7:30 pm Friday night.  She reportedly was not intoxicated. 

Virginia Lawmakers Looking to Make Rolling Stops a Criminal Offense

The Virginia House of Delegates approved a bill to turn rolling stops into a class 1 misdemeanor of reckless driving when performed during a right turn on a red light.  Currently, not coming to a complete stop at a red light or stop sign is a simple traffic infraction with a maximum fine of $350.  Should the Virginia Senate agree to approve the bill in question, anyone found guilty of a rolling stop at a right turn on a red light faces an increased fine, up to $2,500, as well as possible jail time and a loss of license.

Truck Driver Claims Cough Attack Caused Fatal Accident on I-81

Danny Lee Heath was driving a tractor trailer on I-81 January 17^th when, as he reports, a coughing attack caused him to pass out.  Heath's rig crossed the median and entered the southbound lanes.  Claudia Cervantes and John Henry Murphy were killed in the accident.  Cervantes and Murphy were operating vehicles traveling in the southbound lanes.  Heath has been charged with reckless driving and failure to maintain control; the accident is still under investigation.

Eleven Miles Over the Speed Limit Can Land You a Reckless Driving Charge in Virginia

Bicyclist Killed; Two Norfolk Police Officers Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter

Officers Derek Folston and Joey Bennet received charges from a grand jury for their role in the July 25^th death of Donnell Worsley.  Worsley was riding his bike when he was struck by Folston's department vehicle.  He died in the hospital on September 24^th.  Folston and Bennet were charged with involuntary manslaughter and two counts of reckless driving.

Reckless Driving Charge Dropped for Redskins’ Trent Williams

Redskins' rookie offensive lineman Trent Williams was in the Fairfax County courthouse Wednesday facing a reckless driving charge.  Williams was accused of traveling 90 mph in a 55 mph zone.  Substitute Fairfax General District Court Judge John Keats dismissed the case because the officer's speedometer calibration was not properly notarized. 

I-95 Crash Injures Six, Including VA State Trooper Edward Brown

Yesterday's crash on Interstate 95 in Dale City involved 6 cars, 2 tractor trailers and 1 police cruiser.  Reportedly, one car was disabled on the side of I-95, another came to assist and a third side swiped both vehicles.  Another vehicle stopped to further assist and Virginia State Trooper Edward Brown responded.  The fifth vehicle slowed as it approached the incident and was rear-ended by a tractor trailer sending it into the line of already stopped vehicles.  The tractor trailer then struck a second tractor trailer, which rear-ended the last vehicle.  The second tractor trailer left the scene without stopping.  Trooper Brown and another driver were flown to Fairfax Inova Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.  Another 4 people involved were taken to Potomac Hospital by ambulance, also with non-life threatening injuries.  The driver of the first tractor trailer was charged with reckless driving.

VA Trooper Hit by Tractor Trailer

Virginia State Trooper S.E. Hawkins was struck by a tractor trailer on I-664 this afternoon while engaged in a regular traffic stop.  Randy E. Maglione, the 57-year-old tractor trailer driver who hit the Trooper, says he was attempting to merge over a lane, but was forced back into his lane as traffic was too heavy and the truck drifted off the right side of the road.  Maglione was charged with Reckless Driving.  Trooper Hawkins was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital with serious injuries.

Virginia’s 5th “Operation Air, Land and Speed” Effort Yielded Many Citations

Virginia State Police stepped up their patrol this past weekend in the state's 5^th effort of Operation Air, Land and Speed.  Troopers on I-66 wrote 348 speeding tickets, 82 reckless driving tickets, 17 safety belt tickets and arrested 2 people for DUI and 6 people for drug and/or felony offenses.  I-64 Troopers cited 1,809 speeders, 312 reckless drivers, 135, safety belt violators and arrested 7 drunk drivers and 19 others on drug and/or felony offenses.

Redskins’ First Draft Pick Due in Court

Trent Williams, 22-year-old first round draft pick for the Washington Redskins, was ticketed for reckless driving on June 6^th.  Williams was allegedly driving his 2010 Porsche 90 mph in a 55 mph zone.  The rookie offensive lineman is reportedly looking forward to his day in court.  He is expected in Fairfax County Court next week.  Williams signed a 10-year, $60 million contract (more that $36.5 million guaranteed) with the Redskins in late July.  

I-95 Shut Down after Truck Hauling Oxygen Overturns, Driver Charged with Reckless Driving

I-95, south of Richmond, was shut down early Tuesday morning after a truck carrying over 100 canisters of oxygen and argon crashed and overturned.  There was concern that the canisters may leak gases and turn into projectiles.  The interstate was reopened around 9am.  Carl Vandevender, a 52-year-old Richmond man, was taken to the hospital for minor injuries and police have charged him with reckless driving.

New Criminal and Traffic Law for Virginia Effective July 1, 2010

The new legislation passed in the 2010 Session of Virginia General Assembly went into effect July 1, 2010.  Below are some of the highlights as related to traffic and criminal legislation (for a complete list visit http://www.vsp.state.va.us/downloads/Selected_Acts_2010.pdf):

A person who operates a school bus transporting children while possessing/consuming an alcoholic beverage will not be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.

Law enforcement may question DUI/DWI suspects about the location of their last drink consumed for communication of that information to the ABC Board.

Juveniles may be found delinquent of possession of alcohol whereas before a case for such could only be deferred and dismissed upon completion of terms.

Restricted driving privileges for children found delinquent for offenses involving alcohol, firearms and truancy are eliminated when school provided transportation is available.

Certificates of analysis (ie BAC certificates) are admissible at preliminary hearings without testimony of person who prepared report and a fee of $50 will be assessed to any defendant who requires testimony of such person and is found guilty.

Restricted driving privileges may be granted to and from a place of religious worship 1 day per week.

Restricted driving privileges may be granted to and from appointments required by Division of Child Support Enforcement, Department of Social Services and for court-ordered programs for child support.

Driving suspensions for DUI/DWI will run consecutively with any other court-ordered suspension for DUI/DWI.

DUI/DWI suspects may be arrested whether or not offense occurred in the officer's presence.

A vehicle driven by a person without a license who has previously been convicted of driving without a license, may be impounded for 3 days.

Restricted driving privileges may be granted for drivers without a valid out-of-state license upon the same conditions as if that person held a valid Virginia license.

The maximum highway speed limit increases from 65 mph to 70 mph.

Charges Dismissed in Accident that Injured Senator’s Wife

Fairfax General District Court Judge Ian O'Flaherty dismissed the reckless driving case against the driver of the 18-wheeler who collided with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's wife in early March.  Brendan Harold, defense attorney for Alan Snader (the driver), effectively argued that the prosecution had no proof that his client had caused the accident.  Snader claimed that Reid had suddenly cut in front of him causing the collision. 

Fairfax Reckless Driving Accident Injures Senate Leader’s Family

Landra Reid, wife of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was seriously injured in an accident in Fairfax County yesterday.  She broke her neck, back and nose and while expected to recover, she was in serious condition overnight at the hospital.  The couple's daughter, Lana Barringer, suffered minor injuries to her neck and face and was released from the hospital.  The accident happened on Interstate 95 Thursday afternoon.  Barringer's vehicle was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer and then forced into the next lane where it hit another car.  None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.  The driver of the tractor-trailer was charged with reckless driving.

Street Race Claims the Life of an Innocent Bystander

Melinda Woodward, a 38-year old woman from Abingdon, VA was stuck and killed while making a left turn at a green light onto Gate City highway in Bristol, VA.  It is believed Woodward was victim of a high-speed street race between a silver Pontiac Trans Am and a red Mustang.  The Trans Am driver, 19-year old Joseph Rose, and his passenger were treated and released by Bristol Regional Medical Center.  The Mustang fled the scene and police are searching for the driver.  Police are also reconstructing the accident to prove racing was involved. 

Chesterfield Crash Involving Fire Truck Injures Two

A ringing cell phone is reportedly the distraction that caused Mauri Phillips, 20, to plow into a stationary fire truck in Chesterfield on Friday.  Phillips ran her 1990 Ford Contour into the back of a fire truck that was responding to a car fire on Chippenham Parkway.  Phillips and one of the firefighters were injured and taken to the hospital.  The firefighter is said to have minor injuries and Phillips was saved from serious injury as she was wearing her seatbelt.  Phillips has been charged with reckless driving and failure to move over for an emergency vehicle.

Loudoun County Man Wanted by Police

The Loudoun County Sheriff's office is requesting anyone with information on the whereabouts of Joseph S. Schrotz contact them.  Schrotz is wanted for grand larceny, disregarding a signal to stop, reckless driving and driving on a revoked license as a result of a December 11^th pursuit of a stolen car.  Loudoun County Crime Solvers can be reached at 703-777-1919.

Vikings’ Peterson Cited for Speeding at 109 MPH

Adrian Peterson, the star running back of the Minnesota Vikings, was given a speeding ticket in Minneapolis over the weekend when he was clocked going 109 mph in a 55 mph zone.  Peterson is quoted by The Associated Press he "got a little speeding ticket.  I need to be more aware of the speed I was going and not let it happen again."  Lucky for him, he was not driving in Virginia or he would be facing a class 1 misdemeanor charge of reckless driving!

HOV Crackdown in Arlington Results in $1,000 Ticket for One Motorist

A driver in Arlington County was ticketed with a fourth offense HOV violation on Thursday during the second wave of the county’s Operation HOV Crackdown.  HOV violators are one of the biggest complaints made to police in the jurisdiction, so tougher fines and ramped up patrol are out to stop the trend.  First time offenders face a $150 fine, second time offenders a $250 fine, third time offenders a $500 and fourth time offenders a $1000 fine. 

Florida Driver Faces Up To 5 Years in Prison for Texting While Driving Accident

Stephen Wade Horne, 26-year old Bartow, FL man, was arrested Monday on a class 3 felony charge of reckless driving with serious bodily injury.  Horne is accused of running his car into 20-year-old Emmanuel Mejia in August while sending a test message from his cell phone.  Mejia was emptying trash cans along the roadside when he was hit by Horne.  Mejia has lost both of his legs and a portion of 2 of his fingers from the accident.  Mejia "[thanks] God [he is] still alive and well."

Motorcyclist Dies While Attempting to Elude Police at 100 MPH

Erwin Brower, a 27-year old Henrico County man, died Saturday while attempting to elude police on I-95.  Brower was reportedly one of three bikes traveling more than 100 mph with Virginia State Police in pursuit.  He died at the scene after crashing his bike, a Suzuki GSX-R600 into a guardrail.  One of the other riders was arrested later at him home and is set to appear in Colonial Heights court on January 26^th.

State Police in Full Force in NOVA

Virginia State Police were out in full force on Wednesday on I-95 between Dumfries and the Pentagon.  Police were targeting HOV violators.  They cited 71 HOV violators and 16 other traffic violations, including 1 DUI.