RICHMOND, Va. — A Virginia state lawmaker charged in what authorities are calling a hit-and-run swerved his SUV toward a lady after they argued, striking her and leaving her with minor injuries, in response to police and allegations outlined in court documents.
Del. Matt Fariss, a 54-year-old Republican who has represented a part of central Virginia within the House of Delegates for over a decade, faces two felony charges — malicious wounding and being involved in a hit-and-run — plus misdemeanor reckless driving.
Fariss has denied the allegations.
In keeping with a criminal grievance, the lady told police she was riding in a automobile with Fariss on Thursday when he passed a automobile at an “excessive speed” then blew out a tire.
She said he pulled right into a church parking zone, where he became “irate” while talking on the phone together with his son a couple of automobile jack.
As Fariss became increasingly aggressive, the lady said, she got out of the automobile and commenced walking up Route 501 to a cousin’s home nearby.
Fariss then began driving and yelling at her to get back within the automobile, in response to the court documents.
After she declined, Fariss made a 90-degree turn and struck the lady together with his Chevrolet Tahoe, she alleges. She said she scampered away, fearing that he might shoot her.
The court documents don’t explain the lady’s relationship to Fariss.
In a press release provided by an aide, Fariss denied the allegations against him.
“While I can have made some mistakes in my life, these charges are false,” he said. “I sit up for clearing them in a court of law.”
Virginia State Police said in a press release Tuesday that they were called to research a hit-and-run Thursday afternoon in Campbell County, a rural area south of Lynchburg.
A 2015 Tahoe had crossed the middle line, struck an adult female pedestrian, then left the scene, police said within the statement.
In keeping with the lady’s account, a person witnessed the confrontation and “got here down his driveway yelling,” at which point Fariss fled.
An investigation led state police to discover Fariss as the driving force, in response to the statement from VSP spokeswoman Corinne Geller.
Fariss turned himself in and met a trooper at a magistrate’s office Friday then was released on bond, Geller said.
Court records show an arraignment scheduled for March 17.
House Speaker Todd Gilbert said in a press release that he was aware of the costs against Fariss.
“I’m certain that Virginia’s legal system will ascertain all of the facts and adjudicate the matter in a timely and just fashion,” Gilbert said.
Fariss, of Campbell County, has served within the House since 2012.
He represents the 59th District, which also includes Appomattox and Buckingham counties and parts of Albemarle and Nelson counties.
News of the costs against him was first reported by Cardinal News.
Fariss has faced legal trouble before, in response to court records and news accounts, including for a hit-and-run. That incident, to which Fariss pleaded guilty in 2016, damaged fencing, a highway sign and a mailbox, in response to an article within the News & Advance.
The Associated Press pursued Fariss’ booking photo from the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority and other law enforcement officials, who failed to supply it.