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Mechanicsville man accused of killing cyclist has poor eyesight, neighbors say

Posted at 11:34 PM, Sep 08, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-09 06:11:01-04

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. -- Stanley P. Dawson, 59, of Mechanicsville, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the fatal September 5 crash involving  cyclist Caroline Dawn Wortham.

Carrie Wortham (SOURCE: Impact Makers)

Carrie Wortham (SOURCE: Impact Makers)

Wortham, 26, of Glen Allen, was riding her bike near the intersection of Mountain Road and Farrington Road when she was struck from behind by a Buick sedan, investigators said.

Wortham died as a result of the crash.

Dawson was charged with involuntary manslaughter, failure to yield to a bicyclist and possession of a concealed weapon.

"I hate when you hear cyclists getting hurt," neighbor Jean Lombes said. "Share the road kind of thing, you know, but Stanley? I've known him for 10 years. To find out he was involved, I mean, he has a lot going on."

Neighbors said Dawson lost his wife to cancer a few months ago.

Stanley P. Dawson, 59, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Stanley P. Dawson, 59, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Lombes said Dawson would help him with yard work and that Dawson had some ongoing health issues. He also said he was surprised to even see him driving; claiming Dawson had bad eye sight.

"We saw him come down the road and I was like, ‘Does he even see us?’" said Lombes.

Neighbor Jean Lombes

Neighbor Jean Lombes

Several other neighbors shared similar stories, off-camera, about Dawson’s driving.

"I will be praying for him and also for the family of the cyclist," Lombes said.

Dawson was held at Pamunkey Regional Jail Tuesday night with no bond.

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