Woman charged with manslaughter in hit-and-run accident
By Alexandra Bogdanovic
Roberta Byrd, 47, of Lignum, Va., was arrested and charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of a 19-year-old girl on April 4, police said.
Virginia State Trooper Doug Pugh is assigned to the Area 12 Office in Warrenton. He conducted the investigation that resulted in the arrest.
According to the trooper, Byrd was driving south on Lee's Mill Road at approximately 6:46 p.m. when she lost control of her vehicle and struck a pedestrian. Byrd kept driving and lost control of the vehicle again, hitting a telephone pole, Pugh said.
Virginia State Police Sgt. Franz Mahler said the 19-year-old victim was transported to Fauquier Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Pugh said that the victim was identified as Lauren Detrio. She was originally from Florida, but was living in the Warrenton area at the time of the accident, he said.
In addition to manslaughter, Byrd was charged with driving after being adjudicated an habitual offender, refusal to permit blood or breath tests, DUI [second offense within five years] and felony hit and run.
Pugh said Byrd remained in custody at the Fauquier County Adult Detention Center without bond early this week.
She is scheduled to appear in Fauquier County General District Court May 22.
E-mail the reporter: abogdanovic@timespaper.com