Man Sentenced to Year in Jail for Driving on Revoked License During 2022 Crash Killing Norfolk Child

NORFOLK, Va. — Larry Laquan Thompson, 44, was sentenced to serve 12 months in jail for driving while his license was revoked at the time of a 2022 car accident that caused the death of 7-year-old Jailynn Santiful.

On Sept. 3, 2022, Mr. Thompson was driving his Chevrolet Tahoe westbound in the 1100 block of Pickett Road approaching the intersection with Old Court Drive. Moments before, Jailynn, her father, and her younger sibling had come out of a house on that block. Jailynn’s father picked up and carried Jailynn’s younger sibling into the house, and Jailynn crossed the street alone. Jailynn went to cross the street again, looked both ways, hesitated for a moment, and stepped into the street as Mr. Thompson entered the intersection. Mr. Thompson hit Jailynn, and Mr. Thompson and his wife immediately got out to attend to her, but she died as a result of the accident.

Norfolk Police investigators charged Mr. Thompson with operating a vehicle while his driving privileges were revoked, a misdemeanor, after determining that Mr. Thompson was not speeding and was not under the influence at the time of the accident.

In July 2023, Mr. Thompson pleaded no contest to that charge in Norfolk General District Court, was convicted, and was sentenced to serve 12 months in jail (the maximum sentence for a misdemeanor in Virginia). Mr. Thompson appealed that conviction to Norfolk Circuit Court, again pleaded no contest to the charge in January 2024, and Judge Mary Jane Hall found him guilty. There was no agreement to Mr. Thompson’s sentence.

On Tuesday, Mr. Thompson’s defense counsel argued for a sentence shorter than the previously imposed 12 months. Judge Hall stated that she would not depart from the General District Court’s decision and sentenced Mr. Thompson to serve the maximum 12 months in jail.

“Had Mr. Thompson had a license, these facts would have been tragic,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “But Mr. Thompson did not have a license, and he never should have been driving that day. Mr. Thompson’s choice to drive on a revoked license transformed the tragedy into a crime, and Jailynn paid for Mr. Thompson’s choice with her life. We as a city mourn Jailynn’s life cut so tragically short.”

Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Emily A. Woodley prosecuted Mr. Thompson’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Officer Geoffrey A. Countryman led the investigation.

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Jan. 31, 2024

Man Pleads No Contest to Driving on Revoked License During 2022 Crash that Killed Norfolk Child

NORFOLK, Va. — Larry Laquan Thompson, 44, pleaded no contest yesterday in Norfolk Circuit Court to driving after having his license revoked following a 2022 car accident that caused the death of a 7-year-old girl, Jailynn Santiful.

On Sept. 3, 2022, Mr. Thompson was driving his Chevrolet Tahoe westbound in the 1100 block of Pickett Road approaching the intersection with Old Court Drive. Moments before, Jailynn, her father, and her younger sibling had come out of a house on that block. Jailynn’s father picked up and carried Jailynn’s younger sibling into the house, and Jailynn crossed the street alone. Jailynn went to cross the street again, looked both ways, hesitated for a moment, and stepped into the street as Mr. Thompson entered the intersection. Mr. Thompson hit Jailynn, and Mr. Thompson and his wife immediately got out to attend to her, but she died as a result of the accident.

Norfolk Police came to the scene and investigated the case, learning that Mr. Thompson was not under the influence but was operating his vehicle while his driving privileges were revoked. Officers charged Mr. Thompson with operating a vehicle while his driving privileges were revoked and failing to maintain a vehicle inspection.

In July 2023, Mr. Thompson pleaded no contest to the charges in Norfolk General District Court and was convicted. He was sentenced to serve 12 months in jail, the maximum jail sentence available for those offenses.

Mr. Thompson appealed his conviction for operating a vehicle with revoked driving privileges to Norfolk Circuit Court, and yesterday Mr. Thompson again pleaded no contest to the charge. Judge Mary Jane Hall, who accepted Mr. Thompson’s plea, convicted him, and set his case for sentencing on March 15. Mr. Thompson faces a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail, with sentencing in the hands of the judge.

“Had Mr. Thompson had a license, these facts would have been tragic,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “But Mr. Thompson did not have a license, and he never should have been driving that day. Mr. Thompson’s choice to drive on a revoked license transformed the tragedy into a crime, and Jailynn paid for Mr. Thompson’s choice with her life.”

Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Emily A. Woodley is prosecuting Mr. Thompson’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Officer Geoffrey A. Countryman led the investigation.

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