WASHINGTON COUNTY, Va. – A Washington County man is facing several charges for allegedly hitting a VDOT employee with his vehicle and then fleeing the scene, according to Virginia State Police.
Authorities report that the 58-year-old VDOT employee was hit by a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt as he was working to remove a tree that had fallen across Woodland Hills Rd. Both the tree and the man were struck in the incident, State Police said.
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Witnesses told police that the driver stopped briefly to remove a tree limb that had gotten stuck underneath the vehicle but then drove away from the scene.
Sources say the employee, who was wearing a reflective traffic vest, has been transported to Johnson City Medical Center for serious injuries.
After investigating further, State Police was able to find the Cobalt parked at a home about 3 to 4 miles from the crash scene.
The driver has been identified as 26-year-old Shawn R. Smith, of Abingdon, Virginia. State Police say there was a 25-year-old female passenger in the vehicle as well.
Smith was charged with hit and run, driving on a suspended license, his 10th offense, and reckless driving.
The crash remains under investigation, State Police said.
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