Hit & Run Driver Has Freedom, Victims Do Not

Jacqueline Simmons, 29 of King George County, Va, had her freedom all summer, but the children she struck with her car early last June did not. 

Jacqueline Simmons

Simmons continues to remain free on $50,000 bond despite arraignment last Friday for new felony charges of reckless and negligent driving.  She has liberty on her word that she won’t flee the area.  The judge simply told her not to drive.  She was also told not to drive last June. 

Her trial is scheduled for February 2008.  She faces charges of Leaving Scene of Accident (Serious Physical Injury), Failure To Immediately Stop Vehicle At Scene Of Accident Involving Bodily Injury, Failure Of Driver Involved In Accident To Render Reasonable Aid, Driving While Impaired By Drugs Or Alcohol, Driving While Impaired By Controlled Substance, Reckless Driving, and Negligent Driving.

On Tuesday morning June 5th, Simmons struck four Charles County public schoolchildren who sat on a curb in their La Plata neighborhood waiting for the school bus.  Witnesses reported seeing the car swerving back and forth on the street just before the crash. 

Simmons continued driving after hitting the children.  She also failed to obey a stop-sign a little later and was caught by a sheriff’s deputy.  This officer knew nothing of the vehicle assault and so charged her with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol as well as failing to stop at a stop-sign.  Simmons admitted to being hooked on methadone at the time; she was reportedly on her way to a treatment clinic. 

According to authorities, a 4-year-old boy and a 10-year-old boy were flown to Children’s Hospital National Medical Center in D.C.  The youngest suffered a broken tibia and fibula, and a fractured wrist.  He spent more than four weeks in the hospital earlier this summer; and will be in rehabilitation until late November.  If the injuries do not heal properly, he faces another surgery. 

The 10-year-old spent three months in a leg cast up to his thigh.  A 9-year-old boy was taken to a nearby hospital, and a 17-year-old was treated and released at the scene.

According to the charging documents, investigating officers found a piece of a child’s sock in a crack in the car’s right front hub-cap, and a red mark on the right side of the front bumper. 

For the original article click here:  Hit and Run Suspect Out on Bail

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