Driver Flees On Foot After Striking Bicyclist and Overturning Car

WINCHESTER, VA — A driver of a Mitsubishi Lancer fled on foot after striking and killing a bicyclist on Route 7 near Winchester early Saturday morning, according to the Virginia State Police. Speed and alcohol are both being considered as factors in the fatal hit-and-run crash, the police said.

The crash occurred at 1:41 a.m. on Jan. 11 on Route 7 just west of Route 991 (Regency Lakes Drive) in Frederick County. The 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer was traveling east on Route 7, just east of the Interstate 81 interchange, when the driver lost control, ran off the left side of the roadway, over-corrected, ran off the right side of the roadway, struck a guardrail, and struck a bicyclist, the police said.

The Mitsubishi then ran off the left side of the roadway, collided with a ditch and overturned. The bicyclist also was traveling east on Route 7 when he was struck from behind by the Mitsubishi.

The bicyclist, Mark W. Smith, 49, of Winchester, died at the scene as a result of his injuries.

The Virginia State Police's Division 2 Accident Reconstruction Team and Bureau of Criminal Investigations, together with the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, assisted in the investigation. Frederick County Fire and Rescue and Virginia Department of Transportation personnel provided assistance at the scene of the crash.

The state police is asking anyone with information to call Virginia State Trooper J. Myers at 540-662-3313 or email at area13@vsp.virginia.gov.