(VSP release) The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Wytheville Field Office, after consultation with the Washington County Commonwealth’s Attorney, has arrested a Damascus man on three felony counts of attempted homicide following a hit-and-run near Abingdon. Jesse A. Fritz, 20, is being held without bond at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Abingdon.
At 3:46 p.m. on Friday (April 9, 2021), a Virginia State Police Sr. Trooper C.R. Wyrick was dispatched to a crash involving a pedestrian in the 14,300 block of Porterfield Highway north of Abingdon. Upon arriving on scene, the trooper identified three pedestrians had been struck in front of a building and the driver, Fritz, had fled the scene on foot. Fritz was located at approximately 5 p.m. and taken into custody by Abingdon Police.
Further investigation revealed that Fritz had been living at a residence in the building with two of the three victims he struck with his vehicle. As Fritz was pulling out of the parking lot, he did a U-turn and intentionally drove towards a 47-year-old male, an 18-year-old female and a 23-year-old female. Fritz first struck the bumper of a parked car before jumping the curb and striking all three individuals.
The male and 18-year-old female were treated at the scene for minor injuries. The 23-year-old female has been treated and released from a nearby hospital.
After consultation with the Washington County Commonwealth’s Attorney, state police obtained the three felony counts of attempted homicide for Fritz.
