Posted on Jul 30, 2016
Minor charged in deadly hit-and-run in Newport News
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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Police have charged a 17-year-old girl with felony homicide, hit-and-run, evade and elude police and operating a motor vehicle with no driver’s license, after striking and killing a man mowing grass Friday afternoon.
42-year-old Arnold Coates died after being hit on Red Oak Circle around 3:30 p.m., according to police.
“He was a very nice guy. He always took care of his yard and took care of his car,” said Michael Chiesa, longtime best friend and next door neighbor. “He would do anything to help you out.”
Police say the situation started two blocks from Coates’ home around 3:22 p.m. Officers say they pulled over 34-year Shawn Collier at Tyner and Richneck Roads to serve a drug-related warrant.
As officers arrested Collier, who was wanted in Henrico and Chesterfield, they say the 17-year-old hopped in the front seat and drove away from the traffic stop.
Even after hitting Coates outside of his home a few minutes later, police say the teen driver kept going.
“It says they are not human. How can you do that? How can you not stop and look and see if he is okay?” said Brandy McCreery.
The girl ultimately slammed into an SUV just a few houses down, and police say she tried to run once more.
“Air bags deployed, she’s shaking her head, door opens up, feet come out, she takes off running, full sprint,” recalled Peter Chandler, another neighbor mowing his yard a few houses down.
Police say the driver ran to a nearby home, used their phone to call a relative and ultimately surrendered to officers at the scene.
Chiesa describes Coates as an Army veteran, a man with a big heart and a well-liked guy.
“Tomorrow is not promised,” said Chiesa. “All you got is today. So, if you got somebody you love, you have to tell them you love them every night, because you never know what’s going to happen.”
The 17-year-old was wanted on an active warrant out of Henrico County for a robbery. She was listed as a runaway, according to police.
The Newport News Fire Department brought lawn equipment to the neighborhood to help the family with yard work. Firefighters said they did not want credit for the act.
Police are still investigating the crash.
42-year-old Arnold Coates died after being hit on Red Oak Circle around 3:30 p.m., according to police.
“He was a very nice guy. He always took care of his yard and took care of his car,” said Michael Chiesa, longtime best friend and next door neighbor. “He would do anything to help you out.”
Police say the situation started two blocks from Coates’ home around 3:22 p.m. Officers say they pulled over 34-year Shawn Collier at Tyner and Richneck Roads to serve a drug-related warrant.
As officers arrested Collier, who was wanted in Henrico and Chesterfield, they say the 17-year-old hopped in the front seat and drove away from the traffic stop.
Even after hitting Coates outside of his home a few minutes later, police say the teen driver kept going.
“It says they are not human. How can you do that? How can you not stop and look and see if he is okay?” said Brandy McCreery.
The girl ultimately slammed into an SUV just a few houses down, and police say she tried to run once more.
“Air bags deployed, she’s shaking her head, door opens up, feet come out, she takes off running, full sprint,” recalled Peter Chandler, another neighbor mowing his yard a few houses down.
Police say the driver ran to a nearby home, used their phone to call a relative and ultimately surrendered to officers at the scene.
Chiesa describes Coates as an Army veteran, a man with a big heart and a well-liked guy.
“Tomorrow is not promised,” said Chiesa. “All you got is today. So, if you got somebody you love, you have to tell them you love them every night, because you never know what’s going to happen.”
The 17-year-old was wanted on an active warrant out of Henrico County for a robbery. She was listed as a runaway, according to police.
The Newport News Fire Department brought lawn equipment to the neighborhood to help the family with yard work. Firefighters said they did not want credit for the act.
Police are still investigating the crash.
Minor charged in deadly hit-and-run in Newport News
Posted from wavy.comPosted in these groups: 
Crime
Crime
Posted >1 y ago
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Someone who does that is not a minor in my eyes SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL. Adult time i hope. In fact I was up near the DMZ in Korea at 17.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
CSM Charles Hayden Arnold Coates was recently (Army) retired and had two tours to Afghanistan.
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I just moved from Newport News and know the area this happened quite well. My prayers go out to the family.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
CW5 Andrew J. Foreman thank you, SITUATIONAL AWARENESS is a must, we just lost a Army Veteran whom just RETIRED OUT THE ARMY and had two tours to Afghanistan.
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