Man Who Killed Pedestrian While Eluding Virginia Beach Police is Sentenced to 40 Years in Jail

There are few sadder scenarios on the fast-moving highways of Hampton Roads than those when a pedestrian pays with his or her life for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

This was the case in 2012 when Raymond Rogers was mown down and killed by a man who was trying to evade police in Virginia Beach.

WAVY.com reported on how a 40-year-old man will spend nearly four decades behind bars for the death of Mr. Rogers.

Macie Pridgen of the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said the defendant was sentenced to 50 years behind bars on charges of second degree murder, eluding police – endangerment, grand larceny and burglary, after pleading guilty. The judge suspended 11 years, leaving 39 left to serve.

A tragic series of events began on Jan. 2, 2012, when police in Virginia Beach received word from their counterparts in Portsmouth that the wanted man had outstanding warrants for robbery. Officers found his vehicle parked and unoccupied.

When police tracked him down he sped off, leading officers on a chase beginning on Military Highway toward Norfolk. A police officer who tried to use spikes was almost struck by the fugitive.

On Northampton Boulevard he reached speeds of up to 80 mph. Raymond Rogers was trying to cross the street on foot when he was struck and killed. The fugitive kept driving and fled on foot in Norfolk. He was captured the next day.

Reckless driving on the highways of Virginia Beach, Newport News and Norfolk claims the lives of far too many pedestrians. Just last week Patrick Farrow was killed on Warwick Boulevard by a driver who was later charged with a DUI. My thoughts are with his family.

When a pedestrian is killed by a drunk driver or a reckless driver, their family often has grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit. No amount of money can ever bring back a loved one, but often a sudden death can cause serious financial problems. Contact us if you have lost a loved one or if you have been injured while crossing the road.757.455.00757