Newlywed Dies After Riding on Hood of Car

Dymond Alberta Starr ThackerPhoto byDymond Thacker via Facebook

ELKTON, Va. – Virginia State Police (VSP) are investigating a fatal Rockingham County crash that killed a Broadway woman.

According to an emailed media release from VSP Sergeant Brent W. Coffey, the incident occurred Tuesday April 16, 2024 in the 5500 block of Bryant Hollow Road.

At 9:30 a.m., a 2020 Hyundai Elantra was traveling east, with a passenger riding on the hood. As the vehicle descended a hill, the passenger fell off and was struck by the car.

The passenger, Dymond Alberta Starr Thacker, 34, died at the scene of the crash due to her injuries. According to her obituary, Thacker was the mother of four and was married just two weeks before her death.

The driver of the Hyundai, Debra L. Elliott, of Elkton, was not injured in the crash. She was not wearing a seatbelt. A second adult passenger in the Hyundai was also not injured.

Debra L. ElliottPhoto byMiddle River Regional Jail

Elliott, 66, was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter: DUI, possession of a schedule I/II narcotic, driving without a license, and failure to wear a seatbelt. She was transported to the Middle River Regional Jail, where she is being held without bond.

Virginia State Police provide statewide law enforcement services and work in conjunction with local law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. In major crash scenes and/or crash scenes involving fatalities, the VSP Accident Reconstruction Team assists troopers with incident investigation and documentation.

According to online court records, Elliott is due to appear in court on July 31. The crash remains under investigation.