A Columbus man has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in a woman’s death Friday.
Columbus police officers arrested 37-year-old Terrance Vontrell McBride, of 1209 Sixth Ave. N., on Friday night after he allegedly struck and killed 50-year-old Eva Richards with his vehicle before leaving the scene.
Richards was walking east on Seventh Avenue North near its intersection with 17th Street North at about 8:58 p.m. Friday when McBride’s vehicle hit her, according to police
Columbus Police Department Capt. Brent Swan said witnesses reported McBride exited the vehicle, looked at Richards and left without reporting the incident. Officers arrested McBride just before midnight Friday on Waterworks Road.
Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant on Saturday said it appeared the suspect’s vehicle struck Richards from behind. Richards lived in a home on 18th Street North, about a block from the scene.
Tommy Brown, who lived with Richards, told The Dispatch on Monday that Richards was walking home from a family member’s house at the time of the incident. Brown said Richards had five children, four of which live in Columbus. On Monday, there were several bouquets near the spot where Richards was struck. Among them was a small sign that read, “Mother.”
McBride has a criminal history, according to Lowndes County Circuit Court records. He served prison time for a 2001 sale of cocaine conviction, as well as for a probation revocation from a 1999 possession of cocaine conviction.
Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death is a felony with a maximum possible penalty of 5 years in prison. Swan said the investigation is ongoing.
Municipal Court Judge Mark Amos set McBride’s bond at $7,500 during the suspect’s first court appearance Monday afternoon.
Dispatch managing editor William Browning contributed to this report.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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