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STS&G News Goodove in the News Archive 2009

Memorial service honors crash victim

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – He was his parents’ only son, but Hunter Richardson became a brother to many. “Just him being there; his smile could brighten up a room, the worst day, he could turn it into the best,” friend Samuel Markham said.

Richardson’s life was honored Tuesday morning at a memorial service just 4 days after he died. “It’s overwhelming, its too much , it’s still so surreal, it’s I don’t know,” sighed Andrew Sullivan.

For some, it was a day to mourn a loss; for others, a time to celebrate a life. But together, they gathered to support one family. Centenary United Methodist Church holds approximately 700 people in its sanctuary and balcony. Still, there was standing room only.

“It speaks volumes about his character, a tremendous human being, it’s hard to put into words.”

“God makes everything happen for a reason, I’m sure He has a reason for this and you can see how many lives he touched.”

It directly touched Garrett Staats life. Staats’ daughter Charlotte survived the crash. She and Richardson were walking across the street near Town Center when they were hit. Police said the person driving the car, Natasha Herzog, 29, was drunk.

“There’s always a lesson, the lesson’s been being told for I don’t know how many years, I guess since the invention of the MADD organization, so the lesson has been there, the message has been there, just got to get somebody to listen to it,” Staats excliamed.

In a sad irony, tonight the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving will hold it’s annual vigil to remember local victims.

“We’re going to be lighting a candle with each victim’s name in our local area and unfortunately that list continues to grow,” said Southside President Michael Goodove.

Richardson’s name could likely join that list. But it was clear to see his name already written across the hearts of the people he loved.

“Life is fragile, and I think he had it right: live like you might not have a tomorrow.”

Article taken from wvec: Click for Link

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Archive 2009 STS&G News Goodove in the News

Hearing continued for Virginia Beach officer accused of DUI

Posted on August 15, 2009 at 3:59 PM

Updated Friday, Oct 30 at 10:58 AM

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VIRGINIA BEACH – A hearing for a Virginia Beach police officer accused of DUI was continued until September at the request of his defense attorney, Larry Slipow.

Officer Bryan Womble was arrested in June after police say he got into a car accident and left the scene. Police arrested Womble a few blocks away.

Officer Womble has been on administrative duty since the night of his arrest.

Video: Beach officer faces DUI charges in court today

Police say the 36 year-old officer crashed his car into another car at the corner of 20th street and pacific avenue.

Reports show that the night officer Womble was arrested, his blood alcohol content was almost twice the legal limit.

Making matters worse, he was charged with hit and run for allegedly trying to leave the scene of the accident.

His employment with the police department could be in jeopardy depending on the outcome of the case.

There are questions as to whether it will affect pending cases, as well.

Officer Womble had been a decorated member of the department’s traffic enforcement team.

He arrested NFL star Bruce Smith in may on DUI charges, and testified against him earlier this month.

Womble still has numerous DUI cases pending in court in which he will testify for the prosecution. Defense attorneys have been asking to reschedule those cases for after Womble’s hearing.

The local president of mother’s against drunk driving doesn’t believe it will affect their outcome.

“I think it’s much ado about nothing, I’m not aware of any relevance that Officer Womble’s actions as a private citizen as to how it would weigh in on any pending DUI case,” said Michale Goodove, MADD president.

Womble faces misdemeanor charges. The hit and run could have been a felony if there had been any injuries or damage worth more than $1,000.

The new date is September 21.

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Archive 2009 STS&G News Goodove in the News

Va. Beach officer accused of DUI now charged with hit-and-run

VIRGINIA BEACH — A Virginia Beach police officer charged with DUI is now facing a hit-and-run charge.

The new charge against Officer Bryan Womble is related to his May 20 drunken driving arrest, according to police spokesman MPO Adam Bernstein.

The Chesapeake special prosecutor on the case determined there was enough evidence to prove Womble tried to flee the crash scene after colliding with a 1995 Dodge Neon near the Oceanfront.

The hit-and-run charge is a misdemeanor and not a violent crime, so police determined Womble could remain on administrative duty, assigned to him after his DUI arrest.

Womble worked as a DUI enforcement officer, pulling over former NFL great Bruce Smith for drunken driving in May.

Womble is set to testify against dozens of defendants in the coming weeks, including a raft of DUI cases.

Article taken from WVEC.com