High school student killed in Chesterfield hit-and-run

March 8, 2015- Richmond, Va.

A 16-year-old Petersburg High School student was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver on Tuesday night.

The teen, identified as Steffond Swilley Jr., was hit at approximately 9:02 PM in the 700 block of Greyshire Drive.

Swilley was taken to VCU Medical Center after police found him unresponsive in the road with life-threatening injuries. He later died at the hospital.

At the time of the accident, Swilley was reportedly searching for his younger brother a short distance away from his father’s residence.

According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the crash did not leave behind any vehicle parts other evidence, and no one has come forward with information about the accident.

Chesterfield Police have asked anyone with a description of a vehicle that may have struck the teen or may have been seen leaving the neighborhood to call their office immediately at 804-748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660.

When victims of hit-and-runs are unable to identify the perpetrator, the sense of loss and injustice is overwhelming. Not only are victims deprived the opportunity to see the offender brought to justice, there is no one from which to collect personal injury damages.

In light of this unjust circumstance, the Virginia law provides a possible remedy for those who may not otherwise be able to sue for damages.

Victims of hit and run drivers, those driving stolen vehicles, uninsured motorists, and those driving automobiles upon which the insurance company denies coverage may be entitled to benefits under the Virginia Uninsured Motorist statute.

This statute provides that no automobile liability policy shall be issued or delivered in Virginia unless it contains an uninsured motorist endorsement which undertakes to “pay the insured all sums which he shall legally be entitled to recover as damages from the owner or operator of an insured motor vehicle…”

In Virginia, the definition of “uninsured motor vehicle” includes automobiles whose owner or operator is “unknown.”

The statute provides coverage for two classes of insured Virginians. The first class includes the named insured and the named insured’s spouse and relatives, so long as they are members of the same household. The second class includes permissive users of another’s insured vehicle.

Uninsured motorist coverage is liberally construed by the courts in favor of accident victims. Coverage is even provided where the insured sustains damages as a pedestrian. If you or a loved one was injured or killed by an uninsured motor vehicle, call the attorneys at ReidGoodwin today to schedule your fee legal consultation.