A driver is charged with involuntary manslaughter after he allegedly hit a 73-year-old farmer who was checking his mail in Fauquier County, Virginia and drove away, according to Virginia State Police.
Dennis Dunning, 54, was arrested and taken into custody without incident at his home in Catlett, Virginia, on Wednesday, Virginia state police said. He is also charged with felony hit-and-run and operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock.
The victim, 73-year-old farmer Garland Heddings, was crossing a road Friday after going to his mailbox on Route 806 when he was hit and killed. Police initially said they were looking for two drivers.
Dunning was taken to the Fauquier Adult Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.
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Court records also showed that he was charged with DUIs in the past.
For four generations, Heddings' family has been farming land near Catlett. Heddings devoted his life to raising cattle and baling hay. Married for 53 years, he raised four children and often had his 5-year-old grandson by his side.
His daughters told News4 he ended each day with a trip to the mailbox along Route 806. About 5:45 p.m. Friday, he parked his golf cart and trailer at the corner of Flippo Lane, leaving the lights on as he crossed the road with flashlight in hand.
“He would flash his flashlight, just, like, letting people know he’s there, but the traffic just flies through that section of the road,” Jaricia Heddings said.
Police believe just as Garland Heddings crossed back from his mailbox, he was struck by a northbound vehicle, and then by a second vehicle traveling southbound. Neither driver stopped to help.
Another driver pulled over to call 911, but Heddings died on the scene.
Police found vehicle parts leading them to believe a silver 2001-2003 Nissan Frontier first hit Heddings. Authorities did not say whether they believe the Nissan was associated with the suspect in custody or with the other car that struck Heddings.
Police are still looking for that second driver.
Anyone with information is urged to call Virginia State Police.
