Man pleads guilty to felony hit and run in Charles City

A Charles City man accepted the terms of a plea agreement during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court.

Warren Arturo Smith, 40, of the 8500 block of Lewis Tyler Road, entered a guilty plea to a single count of felony hit and run. One charge of bribery was dropped as part of the deal.

In a summary of evidence provided by Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Tyler, on June 24, 2017, Smith’s vehicle drifted over the center lane on Roxbury Road in the western part of the county. When Smith attempted to get back over, his mirror hit another car’s mirror, causing glass to shatter and hit the face of the other driver. Smith continued to his home and the other vehicle turned around and followed the defendant’s vehicle. The victim recognized Smith and confronted him, asking why he didn’t stop. The victim called the authorities, telling them about the accident and advising them that he smelled the odor of alcohol on Smith. After an investigation, Smith was taken into custody and charged.

Formal sentencing is scheduled for July 3, but sentencing guidelines for the defendant to serve anywhere from one year to two years, two months in jail.