Multiple people charged after reckless driving incidents in Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Multiple people were charged in connection with separate reckless driving incidents in Richmond earlier this month, including a case at a large-scale event involving hundreds of individuals.

At about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, an off-duty officer near W. Broad Street and Arthur Ashe Boulevard observed vehicles driving recklessly.

According to police, officers found several vehicles and pedestrians blocking the intersection. A vehicle sped away and the Metro Aviation Unit was called to assist.

Police said officers located and stopped several drivers involved near South 9th and East Canal streets.

The following men were charged:

• 20-year-old from Virginia Beach — reckless driving and failure to display front license plate.
• 22-year-old from Woodbridge — racing or exhibition driving; aiding or abetting. His vehicle was towed.
• 21-year-old from Moyock, N.C. – summons issued for failure to display rear license plate.

Warrants were obtained for the two other individuals involved and stopped that evening, according to the Richmond Police Department. The two people live in other localities and officers are looking to serve those warrants.

At about the same time, the evening of Oct. 18, officers responded to reports of other reckless drivers in the 4800 block of Forest Hill Avenue blocking the intersection.

"Drivers were reportedly performing burnouts in the street and driving dangerously with over 200 total participants, including involved spectators," police said in a press release.

Officers stopped a 20-year-old from Springfield, who was charged with reckless driving and having an altered license plate. His vehicle was towed for investigation, according to police.

“This kind of reckless driving is not just dangerous – it’s criminal,” said Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards. “If you choose to endanger others with these illegal, dangerous acts, you risk losing your vehicle. The Richmond Police Department will continue to make arrests and, in coordination with the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, will seek to seize and forfeit the vehicles used. We will not allow a few reckless drivers to threaten the safety of our community.”

Detectives are also investigating a felony hit-and-run that occurred on Forest Hill Avenue. A man called police on Friday, Oct. 24 and reported he had been hit by a vehicle driving recklessly.

He was taken to a local hospital in a private vehicle with injuries considered non-life-threatening.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Hit and Run Investigator Detective Sergeant R. Misegades at 804-646-313.