Man accused in hit-and-run crash that killed 8-year-old claims he thought he hit a deer

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — A trial is now underway for a Virginia Beach man accused of hitting and killing an eight-year-old boy with his car and then leaving the scene.

Richard Humbert, 39, is charged with not reporting an accident that resulted in injury or death/failure to stop for a collision that occurred nearly a year ago, on Oct. 3.

It was around 4:15 p.m. that afternoon when Humbert, in his white Honda Civic, struck Forrest Hooper, 8, who was attempting to cross 1700 block South Battlefield Boulevard in the Great Bridge area, according to prosecutors.

In opening statements Monday, the assistant commonwealth’s attorney stated that Hooper was likely killed instantly.

While Humbert maintains he “thought he hit a deer” when he was arrested two days later, prosecutors are highlighting what they found on his phone to prove their case that he likely hit a child.

Much of the testimony shared Monday was heard before.

The court heard from the homeowner who witnessed the “bang” and found Hooper lying in her yard.

The first officer on the scene described pulling up to two people performing CPR on a child and seeing one of Hooper’s shoes in the road.

As part of opening statements, it was again repeated that Humbert said he thought he’d hit a deer or other animal, and stopped at a gas station shortly afterward to assess the damage.

As part of the commonwealth’s case, however, they plan to eventually bring up evidence on how, between the collision and his arrest, he searched WAVY.com for “hit-and-run” stories.

The jury trial is expected to last much of the week, according to Chesapeake Circuit Court Judge Stephen Telfeyan.

Humbert could face the possibility of up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

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