Bicyclist died after being hit by drunk driver

Date:  September 24, 2010
Location: Newport News, VA
Type: Pedestrian Accident

A 21-year-old Newport News man was hit by an SUV while riding his bicycle over the weekend died, and the driver who hit him could face manslaughter charges.

Len Joachim, 21, about three days after he was struck while riding his bike on a sidewalk around 2 a.m. Saturday.

The driver, 32-year-old Newport News resident Bernard Sumpter, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence driving with a suspended or revoked license, and reckless driving. Now that Joachim has died, the commonwealth’s attorney office will decide whether to charge Sumpter with a manslaughter charge after reviewing the details.

Sumpter’s passenger and several passengers in the van he struck were taken to local hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

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