VSP Arrest Two for Hit & Run of VDOT Employee in Washington County
A Washington County resident has been charged in a hit and run incident that left a Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) employee seriously injured on Tuesday night (May 9, 2023).A 58-year-old VDOT employee was working to remove a tree that had fallen across Woodland Hills Rd. in Washington County when he was struck by a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The vehicle struck both the employee and tree. Witness statements say the Cobalt momentarily stopped, the driver got out to remove a tree limb that was stuck up underneath the vehicle and then fled the scene.
The VDOT employee, who was wearing a reflective traffic vest, is being treated at Johnson City Medical Center for serious injuries.
During the course of the hit-and-run crash investigation, state police located the Cobalt parked at a residence approximately 3-4 miles away from the crash scene. Further investigation led state police to identifying and locating the driver, Shawn R. Smith, 26, of Abingdon, Va., and the 25-year-old female passenger.
Smith was charged with hit and run, driving on a suspended license (10th offense), and reckless driving.
The crash remains under investigation.