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Police and court briefs
Catlett man charged with assaultChristopher F. Hertag, 33, of Catlett, was charged with simple assault after he hit someone with his motor vehicle Oct. 23, police said.
Trooper Chris Burkes of the Area 12 Office in Warrenton said the incident occurred at approximately 8:10 p.m., in the area of U.S. 17 and U.S. 50 near Paris. The victim in the case claimed he was being followed by someone who was subsequently identified as Hertag, Burkes said. When the victim got out of his car to confront Hertag, Hertag pulled forward in his vehicle and struck the victim.
The victim sustained minor injuries and Hertag allegedly left the scene.
In addition to simple assault, Hertag was charged with stalking, Burkes said. Hertag was released on an unsecured bond.
Burglaries reported
The Fauquier County Sheriff's Office received three reports of burglaries Oct. 21-26. According to police reports:
— Oct. 21, someone from the 1000 block of Gap Run Road in Paris reported a residential burglary and theft of a Remington .44 black-powder pistol, a laptop and cell phone. The estimated loss is $2,610 and the investigation continues.
— Oct. 22, a complainant from the 3800 block of Dumfries Road in Catlett reported a residential burglary with the theft of an air conditioning unit and water heater. The estimated loss is $900.
— Oct. 26, a caller from the 4800 block of Georgetown Road in Broad Run reported a commercial burglary with the theft of a cash register and money. The estimated loss is $4,500 and an investigation is ongoing.
Larcenies investigated
Five people reported larcenies to the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office Oct. 20-24. The following details are included in police reports:
— Oct. 20, a caller from the 100 block of Wankoma Drive in Remington reported the theft of a digital camera, 37-inch flat-screen TV and a laptop from a building. The estimated loss is $3,390 and the investigation is ongoing.
— Oct. 21, a complainant from the 4100 block of Bludau Drive in Warrenton reported the theft of an 18-foot Big Tow trailer. The trailer was reportedly worth $5,600.
— Oct. 22, someone from the 10700 block of Blake Lane in Bealeton reported the theft of a Remington 710 from a building. The estimated loss is $700.
— Oct. 23, someone from the 4400 block of Corral Road in Warrenton reported lumber stolen. The estimated loss is $600 and an investigation is ongoing.
— Oct. 24, a caller from the 4200 block of Catlett Road in Midland reported the theft of two Trane heat pumps. The items were reportedly worth approximately $6,000 and an investigation is ongoing.
Passenger killed in wreck
A Bealeton man was charged with reckless driving in connection with a weekend traffic accident that resulted in a fatality, police said.
According to a Fauquier County deputy's report, the wreck happened in the 3200 block of Catlett Road near Dumfries Road at approximately 1:17 p.m. Saturday.
Fernando Martinez Saavedra, 27, of Bealeton, was driving a 1987 Dodge Raider south on Catlett Road when he allegedly fell asleep and crossed into the northbound travel lane. When he did so, he hit a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu head-on, police said. The Malibu was being driven by Jessica E. Watkins, 21, of Warrenton.
Saavedra and Watkins were both transported to the hospital by EMS, police said. Jorge Benedit Martinez, 28, who was a passenger in Watkins' vehicle did not survive the crash, according to the report.
Byrd pleads guilty
Roberta Ann Byrd, 47, of Lignum pleaded guilty recently to several charges including aggravated DUI manslaughter.
Byrd entered the pleas during an Oct. 16 hearing in Fauquier County Circuit Court.
The charges stemmed from a hit-and-run accident on Lees Mill Road in April.
According Trooper Doug Pugh, who conducted the investigation that resulted in Byrd's arrest, Byrd was driving south on Lee's Mill Road at approximately 6:46 p.m. April 4 when she lost control of her vehicle and struck a pedestrian. Byrd allegedly kept driving and lost control of the vehicle again, hitting a telephone pole.
The 19-year-old victim, who was identified as Lauren Detrio, was transported to Fauquier Hospital where she was pronounced dead, police said.
Detrio was originally from Florida, but was living in the Warrenton area at the time of the accident.
In addition to aggravated DUI manslaughter, Byrd was charged with driving after being adjudicated an habitual offender [2nd/subsequent offense], felony hit and run, and DUI [2nd offense within five years].
As part of a plea agreement filed in circuit court, Byrd agreed to plead guilty to and be found guilty of all of those charges.
Byrd's sentencing hearing is now scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Jan. 7 in circuit court. At that time, the attorney for the commonwealth is expected to recommend 20 years in prison for aggravated involuntary manslaughter; five years in prison on the habitual offender charge; 10 years in prison for the felony hit and run charge; and 12 months in jail for the DUI charge.
In accordance with the plea agreement, the prosecutor is also expected to recommend that all but 20 years of the sentence be suspended, and that Byrd be placed on supervised probation for 10 years once she gets out of prison.
Byrd remains in custody at the Fauquier County Adult Detention Center.
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