Failure to Comply Results in Felony Conviction

Kalijuan Delewis Andrews, a 20 year old Victoria man of West Sixth Street, was convicted recently in Lunenburg Circuit Court of Felony Hit and Run and sentenced to five years in prison with all suspended, having failed to take advantage of an opportunity throughout the past two years to avoid the felony conviction with a deferred adjudication.

According to Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert Clement, the charge arose in July 2012 in the Town of Kenbridge at the intersection of Broad Street and Fifth Avenue during the night.  The victim reported to police that she was in the right hand lane at the traffic light when the defendant pulled up on her left.  When the light turned green, the defendant turned right into the driver’s side of the victim’s car.  He then fled the scene.

Clement said that about a month later the victim saw the vehicle in Victoria and called the police.  When found and confronted, Andrews admitted being involved in the accident, and admitted fleeing because he was scared.

In consideration of the age and clean record of the young man, Clement said he and the victim agreed that he should have the chance to avoid the stigma of a felony conviction.  He was given probation and numerous conditions including 100 hours of community service and restitution of $2,469.00.

Although he completed his community service and paid the restitution, Andrews tested positive for use of marijuana and failed to complete substance abuse counseling.

The defendant’s sentence was within the recommendation of the sentencing guidelines, according to Clement.

The defendant had five years suspended subject to conditions of good behavior for five years, supervised probation for one year and completing the substance abuse program and continued drug testing.