RICHMOND, Va. — A 35 year old man has died following a single vehicle crash early Wednesday morning in Richmond, and the driver has been arrested after fleeing the scene, according to the Richmond Police Department. The victim has been identified as Larry Johnson, a resident of Richmond. The fatal crash occurred at approximately 3:43 a.m. on May 6, 2026, in the 5200 block of Warwick Road. Officers responding to the scene discovered a vehicle that had crashed into a tree. Johnson was found unresponsive in the passenger seat and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, later identified as William Sumner Jr., 34, of Chesterfield, fled before officers arrived. He was subsequently located at a nearby motel and taken into custody. Sumner has been charged with felony hit and run, and additional charges are pending.

The Crash: A Deadly Impact on Warwick Road

The crash occurred at approximately 3:43 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in the 5200 block of Warwick Road in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond is the state capital, a city of approximately 230,000 residents located in the east central part of the state. Warwick Road is a major north south arterial road that runs through residential and commercial areas, with moderate to heavy traffic at various times. The 5200 block is in a area with a mix of homes, apartments, and local businesses. At 3:43 a.m., the road would have been dark and quiet. Streetlights provide some illumination, but visibility would have been limited. The early morning hour also means that drivers may be tired, less alert, or struggling with drowsiness.

According to the Richmond Police Department, a vehicle was traveling on Warwick Road when, for reasons still under investigation, it left the roadway and struck a tree. Trees are immovable objects. When a vehicle strikes a tree at speed, the front end crumples, the engine is pushed back into the passenger compartment, and the occupants are subjected to extreme deceleration forces. The vehicle sustained heavy damage.

Officers arrived at the scene to find the vehicle mangled. Inside, they located Larry Johnson in the passenger seat. He was unresponsive and not breathing. Emergency medical personnel were called, but Johnson’s injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead at the scene. There was no hospital transport.

The Victim: Larry Johnson, 35, of Richmond

Larry Johnson was 35 years old. He was a resident of Richmond, Virginia. At 35, he was a man in the prime of his life. He was someone’s son, someone’s brother, someone’s friend. He may have been a father, a husband, a partner. His death is a tragedy for his family and for the Richmond community.

The original article does not provide biographical details about Larry his occupation, his hobbies, his personality. That information will emerge in the coming days as family members speak to the media and as obituaries are published. What is known is that he was 35, that he was from Richmond, and that he is gone. He was a passenger in a vehicle that crashed into a tree. He died at the scene.

The Driver: William Sumner Jr., 34, of Chesterfield, Fled the Scene

According to investigators, the driver of the vehicle fled the crash scene before officers arrived. The driver did not stop to render aid. The driver did not call 911. The driver did not identify themselves. They simply left, abandoning a dying passenger in the wreckage. This is a hit and run, a serious felony in Virginia.

Detectives followed multiple leads that ultimately led to the identification of William Sumner Jr., 34, of Chesterfield, as the alleged driver of the vehicle at the time of the crash. Chesterfield is a large suburban county located just south of Richmond. How investigators identified Sumner is not specified; they likely used witness statements, surveillance footage, license plate readers, or forensic evidence from the vehicle.

Authorities said Sumner was later located at a nearby motel and taken into custody without incident. The motel may have been a place where he was hiding, or where he had checked in after the crash. He did not resist arrest.

Sumner has since been charged with felony hit and run in connection with the fatal crash. Under Virginia law, leaving the scene of an accident involving death is a Class 5 felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. Police indicated that additional charges are pending as the investigation continues. Possible additional charges could include:

• Involuntary manslaughter (if Sumner’s reckless driving caused the crash)

• Driving under the influence (if alcohol or drugs were involved)

• Reckless driving (if speed or other factors contributed)

• Failure to render aid (a misdemeanor)

The investigation will also examine whether Sumner was the driver at the time of the crash, and whether Johnson was the passenger. The relationship between Johnson and Sumner has not been disclosed; they may have been friends, acquaintances, or strangers.

The Investigation: Seeking Answers

The Richmond Police Department’s Crash Team is leading the investigation. Detectives are working to determine what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway and strike the tree. Key questions include:

• Was the driver speeding? Speed is a leading cause of loss of control.

• Was the driver distracted by a phone, a radio, or a passenger?

• Was the driver impaired by alcohol or drugs? Toxicology tests will be performed on Sumner.

• Was there a mechanical failure? Did a tire blow out? Did the brakes fail? Did the steering malfunction?

• Were road conditions a factor? Was the pavement wet? Was there debris on the roadway? Was there adequate lighting?

• Was the driver wearing a seatbelt? Was the passenger wearing a seatbelt? (The original article does not specify.)

The Crash Team will analyze skid marks, debris patterns, and the final resting position of the vehicle. They will also examine the vehicle’s event data recorder, or black box, which can provide information about its speed, braking, and steering in the seconds before the crash.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information related to the crash is urged to contact Crash Team Investigator G. Drago at (804) 646-1369 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

The Aftermath: A Motel Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Sumner is currently being held in the Richmond City Jail. He will be arraigned in the coming days. A judge will set bond or deny it based on the severity of the charges and his flight risk. Given that he fled the scene and was found hiding in a motel, it is likely that bond will be set high or denied entirely.

The legal process will take months. If convicted of felony hit and run, Sumner faces a significant prison sentence. If additional charges such as involuntary manslaughter are added, the sentence could be even longer.

The family of Larry Johnson is likely to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Sumner. They may also seek damages from any bar or establishment that served Sumner alcohol if impairment is found.

The Community: Richmond in Mourning

The Richmond community is mourning the loss of Larry Johnson. The death of a 35 year old in a crash, compounded by the driver’s decision to flee, is a tragedy that touches everyone who hears about it.

Larry’s family is devastated. They have lost a son, a brother, a friend. They are planning a funeral instead of celebrating a milestone. The pain is immeasurable. They are also angry that the driver left their loved one to die on the roadside.

Friends and neighbors have expressed their condolences on social media. A small memorial may be placed at the site of the crash, with flowers, candles, and a cross.

The Crime of Hit and Run: A Cowardly Act

Leaving the scene of an accident, especially a fatal one, is a cowardly act. A driver who stays can call 911, provide aid, and take responsibility. A driver who flees leaves the victim to die alone, and leaves the family without answers. Sumner’s decision to run will weigh heavily in his prosecution.

The fact that he was later found at a motel suggests he was trying to hide. He knew that he had been involved in a crash. He knew that someone had died. He chose to hide rather than face the consequences.

The Importance of Seatbelts and Passenger Safety

The original article does not specify whether Larry Johnson was wearing a seatbelt. In a crash where a vehicle strikes a tree at high speed, even a seatbelt may not save a passenger’s life. However, seatbelts are the single most effective way to prevent death in a crash. They keep occupants inside the vehicle and distribute forces across stronger parts of the body.

If Johnson was not wearing a seatbelt, his chances of survival would have been even lower. The crash reconstruction may reveal this detail.

Holding Onto Memories

As the investigation continues and the community mourns, the family and friends of Larry Johnson are left to do the hardest work of all. They must hold onto their memories of him while also confronting the reality of his death. They must grieve his loss while also waiting for justice. They must find a way to go on without him.

Larry was 35. He had years of life ahead of him. He had family who need him, friends who cherish him, a community that valued his presence. That is the tragedy of his death. It is not just the loss of what was. It is the loss of what could have been.

But what was still matters. The 35 years that Larry lived, the people he loved, the joy he brought, the memories he created these things are not erased by his death. They remain. They are the inheritance of his family, his friends, and everyone who knew him. And as long as those memories are held and shared and cherished, Larry Johnson will never truly be gone.

Conclusion: A Passenger Killed, A Driver Charged

The death of Larry Johnson, 35, of Richmond, in a single vehicle crash on Warwick Road, is a tragedy that has left a family shattered and a community in mourning. The driver, William Sumner Jr., 34, of Chesterfield, fled the scene but was later arrested at a motel. He has been charged with felony hit and run, and additional charges are pending. The investigation remains ongoing.

As Richmond mourns, the community stands together in grief, offering prayers and support to Larry’s family. Rest in peace, Larry Johnson. You were loved. You will be missed. And your memory will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew you. Gone too soon, forever remembered.

Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact the Richmond Police Department.

End of Report# Larry Johnson, 35, of Richmond Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash on Warwick Road; Driver William Sumner Jr., 34, of Chesterfield Charged with Felony Hit-and-Run After Fleeing Scene

RICHMOND, Va. — A 35 year old man has died following a single vehicle crash early Wednesday morning in Richmond, and the driver has been arrested after fleeing the scene, according to the Richmond Police Department. The victim has been identified as Larry Johnson, a resident of Richmond. The fatal crash occurred at approximately 3:43 a.m. on May 6, 2026, in the 5200 block of Warwick Road. Officers responding to the scene discovered a vehicle that had crashed into a tree. Johnson was found unresponsive in the passenger seat and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, later identified as William Sumner Jr., 34, of Chesterfield, fled before officers arrived. He was subsequently located at a nearby motel and taken into custody. Sumner has been charged with felony hit and run, and additional charges are pending.

The Crash: A Deadly Impact on Warwick Road

The crash occurred at approximately 3:43 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in the 5200 block of Warwick Road in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond is the state capital, a city of approximately 230,000 residents located in the east central part of the state. Warwick Road is a major north south arterial road that runs through residential and commercial areas, with moderate to heavy traffic at various times. The 5200 block is in an area with a mix of homes, apartments, and local businesses. At 3:43 a.m., the road would have been dark and quiet. Streetlights provide some illumination, but visibility would have been limited. The early morning hour also means that drivers may be tired, less alert, or struggling with drowsiness.

According to the Richmond Police Department, a vehicle was traveling on Warwick Road when, for reasons still under investigation, it left the roadway and struck a tree. Trees are immovable objects. When a vehicle strikes a tree at speed, the front end crumples, the engine is pushed back into the passenger compartment, and the occupants are subjected to extreme deceleration forces. The vehicle sustained heavy damage.

Officers arrived at the scene to find the vehicle mangled. Inside, they located Larry Johnson in the passenger seat. He was unresponsive and not breathing. Emergency medical personnel were called, but Johnson’s injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead at the scene. There was no hospital transport.

The Victim: Larry Johnson, 35, of Richmond

Larry Johnson was 35 years old. He was a resident of Richmond, Virginia. At 35, he was a man in the prime of his life. He was someone’s son, someone’s brother, someone’s friend. He may have been a father, a husband, a partner. His death is a tragedy for his family and for the Richmond community.

The original article does not provide biographical details about Larry his occupation, his hobbies, his personality. That information will emerge in the coming days as family members speak to the media and as obituaries are published. What is known is that he was 35, that he was from Richmond, and that he is gone. He was a passenger in a vehicle that crashed into a tree. He died at the scene.

The Driver: William Sumner Jr., 34, of Chesterfield, Fled the Scene

According to investigators, the driver of the vehicle fled the crash scene before officers arrived. The driver did not stop to render aid. The driver did not call 911. The driver did not identify themselves. They simply left, abandoning a dying passenger in the wreckage. This is a hit and run, a serious felony in Virginia.

Detectives followed multiple leads that ultimately led to the identification of William Sumner Jr., 34, of Chesterfield, as the alleged driver of the vehicle at the time of the crash. Chesterfield is a large suburban county located just south of Richmond. How investigators identified Sumner is not specified; they likely used witness statements, surveillance footage, license plate readers, or forensic evidence from the vehicle.

Authorities said Sumner was later located at a nearby motel and taken into custody without incident. The motel may have been a place where he was hiding, or where he had checked in after the crash. He did not resist arrest.

Sumner has since been charged with felony hit and run in connection with the fatal crash. Under Virginia law, leaving the scene of an accident involving death is a Class 5 felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. Police indicated that additional charges are pending as the investigation continues. Possible additional charges could include:

• Involuntary manslaughter (if Sumner’s reckless driving caused the crash)

• Driving under the influence (if alcohol or drugs were involved)

• Reckless driving (if speed or other factors contributed)

• Failure to render aid (a misdemeanor)

The investigation will also examine whether Sumner was the driver at the time of the crash, and whether Johnson was the passenger. The relationship between Johnson and Sumner has not been disclosed; they may have been friends, acquaintances, or strangers.

The Investigation: Seeking Answers

The Richmond Police Department’s Crash Team is leading the investigation. Detectives are working to determine what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway and strike the tree. Key questions include:

• Was the driver speeding? Speed is a leading cause of loss of control.

• Was the driver distracted by a phone, a radio, or a passenger?

• Was the driver impaired by alcohol or drugs? Toxicology tests will be performed on Sumner.

• Was there a mechanical failure? Did a tire blow out? Did the brakes fail? Did the steering malfunction?

• Were road conditions a factor? Was the pavement wet? Was there debris on the roadway? Was there adequate lighting?

• Was the driver wearing a seatbelt? Was the passenger wearing a seatbelt? (The original article does not specify.)

The Crash Team will analyze skid marks, debris patterns, and the final resting position of the vehicle. They will also examine the vehicle’s event data recorder, or black box, which can provide information about its speed, braking, and steering in the seconds before the crash.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information related to the crash is urged to contact Crash Team Investigator G. Drago at (804) 646-1369 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

The Aftermath: A Motel Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Sumner is currently being held in the Richmond City Jail. He will be arraigned in the coming days. A judge will set bond or deny it based on the severity of the charges and his flight risk. Given that he fled the scene and was found hiding in a motel, it is likely that bond will be set high or denied entirely.

The legal process will take months. If convicted of felony hit and run, Sumner faces a significant prison sentence. If additional charges such as involuntary manslaughter are added, the sentence could be even longer.

The family of Larry Johnson is likely to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Sumner. They may also seek damages from any bar or establishment that served Sumner alcohol if impairment is found.

The Community: Richmond in Mourning

The Richmond community is mourning the loss of Larry Johnson. The death of a 35 year old in a crash, compounded by the driver’s decision to flee, is a tragedy that touches everyone who hears about it.

Larry’s family is devastated. They have lost a son, a brother, a friend. They are planning a funeral instead of celebrating a milestone. The pain is immeasurable. They are also angry that the driver left their loved one to die on the roadside.

Friends and neighbors have expressed their condolences on social media. A small memorial may be placed at the site of the crash, with flowers, candles, and a cross.

The Crime of Hit and Run: A Cowardly Act

Leaving the scene of an accident, especially a fatal one, is a cowardly act. A driver who stays can call 911, provide aid, and take responsibility. A driver who flees leaves the victim to die alone, and leaves the family without answers. Sumner’s decision to run will weigh heavily in his prosecution.

The fact that he was later found at a motel suggests he was trying to hide. He knew that he had been involved in a crash. He knew that someone had died. He chose to hide rather than face the consequences.

The Importance of Seatbelts and Passenger Safety

The original article does not specify whether Larry Johnson was wearing a seatbelt. In a crash where a vehicle strikes a tree at high speed, even a seatbelt may not save a passenger’s life. However, seatbelts are the single most effective way to prevent death in a crash. They keep occupants inside the vehicle and distribute forces across stronger parts of the body.

If Johnson was not wearing a seatbelt, his chances of survival would have been even lower. The crash reconstruction may reveal this detail.

Holding Onto Memories

As the investigation continues and the community mourns, the family and friends of Larry Johnson are left to do the hardest work of all. They must hold onto their memories of him while also confronting the reality of his death. They must grieve his loss while also waiting for justice. They must find a way to go on without him.

Larry was 35. He had years of life ahead of him. He had family who need him, friends who cherish him, a community that valued his presence. That is the tragedy of his death. It is not just the loss of what was. It is the loss of what could have been.

But what was still matters. The 35 years that Larry lived, the people he loved, the joy he brought, the memories he created these things are not erased by his death. They remain. They are the inheritance of his family, his friends, and everyone who knew him. And as long as those memories are held and shared and cherished, Larry Johnson will never truly be gone.

Conclusion: A Passenger Killed, A Driver Charged

The death of Larry Johnson, 35, of Richmond, in a single vehicle crash on Warwick Road, is a tragedy that has left a family shattered and a community in mourning. The driver, William Sumner Jr., 34, of Chesterfield, fled the scene but was later arrested at a motel. He has been charged with felony hit and run, and additional charges are pending. The investigation remains ongoing.

As Richmond mourns, the community stands together in grief, offering prayers and support to Larry’s family. Rest in peace, Larry Johnson. You were loved. You will be missed. And your memory will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew you. Gone too soon, forever remembered.

Anyone with information about the crash is urged to contact the Richmond Police Department.