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Man sentenced in Chesapeake crash that killed motorcyclist
By John Hopkins
The Virginian-Pilot
© July 8, 2008
CHESAPEAKE
A 76-year-old Chesapeake motorist was convicted Monday of reckless driving that resulted in a fatal crash in Deep Creek this year.
Chesapeake General District Judge Robert Carter sentenced James A. Hooks Sr. to 30 days in jail with 20 days suspended, fined him $200 and suspended his operator's license for six months. Hooks is appealing the conviction, according to court records.
Hooks was cited for reckless driving after the Jan. 19 crash with a motorcycle rider at N. George Washington Highway and Yadkin Road. George Phillips Jr., 56, was riding his motorcycle southbound around 3:40 p.m. on N. George Washington Highway when he stopped for a red light at Yadkin Road, police said.
Hooks' vehicle, following behind the motorcycle, failed to stop and rear-ended the motorcycle, police said. Phillips suffered serious injuries and was transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where he died.
The victim's wife, Linda Phillips, has filed a lawsuit in Chesapeake Circuit Court against Hooks, contending that he was negligent and careless in the operation of his vehicle. The lawsuit alleges that Hooks exceeded a reasonable rate of speed under traffic conditions and failed to maintain a proper lookout.
The lawsuit seeks $1 million in damages. Phillips is survived by his wife and two sons, the lawsuit said.
Attorney Timothy Anderson said his law firm is defending Hooks in the civil matter, but he could not comment on the case.

UrGrlGveMeDkBrn

Damn thats rough!I want a bike sooooooooooooooo bad but I see shit like this and I just cant find myself to be that selfish to my lil girl!

ryanherington

Rough? 10 days of jail, 200 dollars and a suspended license for six months for killing someone? AND he's appealing it.

Will Sol

I think he meant rough on the dude that died there genius.

durang-low

thats some buttery bullshit! i was in a the same situation last year in november, at a light and rear ended, luckly only hurt my back and totaled my bike and i was ready to blow dudes spot up..200 bucks and 10 days in jail and no license for a few months is like a slap in the face to the victims family..i think they need to start retaking drivers tests when you hit a certain age, some of these older people SHOULD NOT be driving, let alone i see so many of them talking on cell phones and looking a gps screens cus they dont even know where they live anymore..i hope victims family gets every penny from him..that was a stupid and pointless death that should have never happened..RIP to yet another rider and best of luck to his family..

tiki240

before anyone chimes in about the 1 million dollar lawsuit, please keep in mind that raising two children whilst paying the mortgage on a house and presumably two car payments not to mention needing to eventually pay for college and all that etc etc.. i think 1 million is actually a hell of a deal for the other party. it should be 2 or three. after she finishes paying for her children and all their needs and the house itself, there wont be enough of that one million for her to retire on. i cant believe they let that old ass fucker off the hook so easily. pulling out from a blind intersection i can understand, THAT is an accident. but Hitting someone from behind is just pure neglegance. same with not checking your blind spots. I think the motorcycle community as a whole should put some pressure on the courts to really up the ante on motorists who fail to operate their vehicles in such a manner that no one gets killed. lord knows the court system has been giving US the shaft for long enough.

durang-low

i also would like to know why vehicular manslaughter charge wasnt given..i mean..a man did die..maybe its just me but the law in this state are crap..i got charged with wreckless driving for doing a burn out on private property, so you mean to tell me he faces the same penalty for killing someone that i do for spinning my rear tire and making some smoke..good ol commen wealth for ya..

NoRider

I completely agree with you. In my opinion they should have asked for at least 5 times that, and if my father was killed buy some stupid idiot in a car, I'd be demanding 50 million plus 25 to life in jail for man slaughter. In less they can replace a loving dad and a husband no amount of money can make that family feel whole again.

Real Random

nice opening post
bought time ya started posting

djgrom

Actually I mean rough with you

Man should be charged with man slaughter