Actions

Midlothian driver arrested after deadly crash

Posted at 11:52 PM, Jul 06, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-07 21:50:50-04

COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. -- A Midlothian driver was arrested and charged with DUI after a fatal crash on Boulevard in Colonial Heights, according to police.

Police were called to Boulevard and Birch Avenue at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday after a driver hit and killed a person on the road.

"It really hasn’t completely hit me that I'll never see him again. So I can still look at those pictures and have happy thoughts," said Shelby Harper. She said her brother Jake Dale Leebheart died in the crash.

RELATED: Family of man killed on Boulevard furious after DUI suspect released from jail

Shane Erick Dent

Shane Erick Dent

"The driver of the vehicle, Shane Erick Dent, 34, Midlothian, was taken into custody at the scene of the crash for driving under the influence of alcohol," a Colonial Heights Police spokesperson said. "Dent was processed and released on an unsecured bond, pending his next court appearance."

Additional charges may be pending, police added.

"We’re getting phone calls... from the morgue at VCU asking if we can donate his skin and his eyes. This man that just killed my brother is walking the streets. He's out of jail."

Legal analyst Todd Stone believes that if charges are put down for vehicular homicide that will change everything.

"For a DUI refusal, it's pretty normal for someone to be released the next day, because the purpose of bond isn't to punish someone," Stone explained. "The purpose of bond is to ensure that they come back to court to get out he next day."

It is a terrible loss Harper hopes brings attention to the DUI law and saves another family from going through what her family is dealing with.

"This is not about me, this is about a law that needs to be changed. For a person to strike and kill another human being while intoxicated and to be able to walk away and get out of jail. There's something wrong with this picture. It needs to change," Harper said.

This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can submit a news tip here

CBS6-News-at-4pm-and-Jennifer-Hudson-480x360.jpg

Entertainment

Watch 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' weekdays at 3 p.m. on CBS 6!

📱 Download CBS 6 News App
The app features breaking news alerts, live video, weather radar, traffic incidents, closings and delays and more.