Woman Charged with Manslaughter After Passenger Dies in Bizarre Accident

Debra Lynn ElliottPhoto byMiddle River Regional Jail

ELKTON, Va. – An August court date is approaching for a woman held responsible for a bizarre accident that killed a Broadway newlywed.

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. on that day, 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.

Victim Dymond Alberta Starr ThackerPhoto byDymond Thacker via Facebook

The driver of the Hyundai, Debra Lynn 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.

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 was held without bond.

According to online court records, Elliott appeared in Harrisonburg/Rockingham General District Court on July 31. The presiding judge waived Elliott’s seat belt violation and the charge of driving without a license.

Elliott is due to appear in Rockingham County Circuit Court on August 19 for the manslaughter and narcotics charges.