NORFOLK — A Norfolk man accused of fleeing the scene after hitting and killing a 54-year-old bicyclist on East Ocean View Avenue in July has been charged with felony murder.
Norfolk Police Department detectives believe Phillip Jason Harrison, 37, was driving drunk when he allegedly hit Erica Cantonwine-Zankli, who was riding her “trike bike” in the 1400 block of East Ocean View Avenue on July 21, according to documents filed in the city’s circuit court.
Several people reported witnessing the 10:22 p.m. crash. They said Harrison was driving a 2004 Toyota Tacoma when he hit Zankli, forcing the bike to spin around and “violently catapult” her onto the ground, court documents state.
Zankli was thrown to the pavement, hitting her head. Witnesses said Harrison got out of the pickup truck and tried to pick her up but that when he realized she was “lifeless” he left her on the ground and fled the scene, according to court documents.
https://wydaily.com/2017/07/27/police-man-accused-of-driving-drunk-in-fatal-oceanview-hit-and-run-nws/
The NPD reported in July that Zankli died at the scene. The Chief Medical Examiner said that her death was accidental, caused by multiple blunt force trauma.
One witness followed Harrison’s truck about a mile from the scene to Portal Road and Garfield Drive where he turned the vehicle’s lights off. Police found him later in his nearby home in the 8400 block of Benningfield Court.
Harrison’s girlfriend allowed police to search the house and they found “freshly cut” dreadlocks, hair clippers, and blood-stained shorts. They also towed his car to the police department for a “forensic examination,” court documents state.
Harrison was charged with driving while intoxicated and refusing a blood or breath sobriety test on July 22. He was charged with felony hit-and-run on July 26.
On Dec. 6, a grand jury indicted Harrison on those charges and two others: felony murder and involuntary aggravated manslaughter.
Unlike first- or second-degree murder, felony murder is used when officials believe a person killed another accidentally while committing another felony, according to Virginia code.
Harrison is currently being held in the Norfolk City Jail without bond. He is scheduled to appear in Norfolk Circuit Court on Jan. 3.
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