Averted Hit and Run

Staunton, VA: (Jan-27-08) Waynesboro Police Officer Jessie Shaver brought charges against David Kyle Smith, the driver of an SUV, who drove by a hit and run accident that left Shaver severely injured and unconscious. Smith initially faced a hit-and-run charge because he never stopped for the downed officer, but continued to his girlfriend's house five miles away. He averted the charge in court two years ago, claiming to see the police car and even the suspect, but never the cop. He assumed the shattered windshield and other SUV damage caused by Shaver's body came from a tossed brick.

In a recent development in the case, a judge ruled that Smith, 24, should have been more cautious when he saw the police car parked by the roadside with lights flashing. The suit claimed that Shaver's recovery involved nearly 200 staples for head wounds and multiple operations to place artificial ligaments in his right leg. Workman's compensation covered much of the nearly $103,000 in medical costs. He also suffered excruciating pain during rehabilitation workouts for his leg. As part of a settlement reached, Smith was ordered to pay a $450,000 civil judgment, resolving the personal injury lawsuit. [NEWS VIRGINIAN: HIT AND RUN]

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Published on Jan-28-08