Man Sentenced to 6 Years for Felony Hit and Run Following Fatal 2022 Crash

NORFOLK, Va. – Today, 21-year-old Marion Trai Strong was sentenced in Norfolk Circuit Court to six years in prison for felony hit and run after pleading guilty to leaving the scene of a crash resulting in the death of 36-year-old Karl Henry Wilkerson last summer.

On June 24, 2022, around 8:20 p.m., Mr. Strong, was driving a black BMW on Tidewater Drive. Just before traveling through an underpass, Mr. Strong stopped at a traffic light at the intersection with St. Julian Avenue. Other drivers observed Mr. Strong weaving in and out of traffic prior to stopping and, when the light turned green, Mr. Strong taking off at a high rate of speed. After Mr. Strong traveled through the underpass, the witnesses in traffic behind him saw his vehicle swerve off the roadway in the 2400 block of Tidewater Drive and up onto the sidewalk. Mr. Strong hit Mr. Wilkerson — a pedestrian on the sidewalk — and struck a tree, flipping the vehicle over.

Mr. Strong was able to crawl out of a window of his car and immediately began removing his license plates. Another vehicle pulled up to the scene moments later, and Mr. Strong was photographed by a witness getting into that car while holding his license plates and leaving the scene. At no point did Mr. Strong check on the victim, purposefully leave behind any identifying information, or contact Norfolk Police. Many witnesses immediately stopped to help Mr. Wilkerson, but Mr. Wilkerson died from his injuries after being transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

At some point after the crash, Mr. Strong fled the state. He was later apprehended by U.S. Marshals and returned to Norfolk.

Mr. Strong pleaded guilty on Aug. 17, 2023, to felony hit and run, and Judge Jerrauld C. Jones accepted his plea with an agreement to a maximum active sentence of six years in prison.

On Friday, Judge Jones sentenced Mr. Strong to 10 years in prison, with four years suspended on the conditions that Mr. Strong be of uniform good behavior for five years and complete an indefinite period of supervised probation.

“Mr. Strong killed this innocent victim through his reckless and dangerous behavior and compounded his crime by trying to flee instead of staying to help,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Mr. Strong’s choices earned him a sentence significantly above his sentencing guidelines. Unfortunately, nothing will bring back the victim. I extend my condolences to the victim’s family. We will continue to hold accountable the people who kill on our roads.”

Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Emily A. Woodley prosecuted Mr. Strong’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Detective Ryan M. Crowder led the investigation.

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August 17, 2023

Norfolk Man Convicted of Felony Hit and Run in Fatal 2022 Crash

NORFOLK, Va. – Marion Trai Strong, 21, was convicted of felony hit and run in Norfolk Circuit Court on Thursday after pleading guilty as charged to leaving the scene of a fatal crash last summer.

On June 24, 2022, around 8:20 p.m., Mr. Strong, was driving a black BMW on Tidewater Drive. Just before traveling through an underpass, Mr. Strong stopped at a traffic light at the intersection with St. Julian Avenue. Other drivers observed that Mr. Strong had been weaving in and out of traffic prior to stopping, and when the light turned green, they saw Mr. Strong take off at a high rate of speed. After Mr. Strong traveled through the underpass, the witnesses behind him in traffic saw his vehicle swerve off the roadway in the 2400 block of Tidewater Drive and up onto the sidewalk. Mr. Strong hit a pedestrian and struck a tree, flipping the vehicle over. Many individuals immediately stopped to help the pedestrian, 36-year-old Karl Henry Wilkerson, but Mr. Wilkerson died from his injuries after being transported to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Mr. Strong was able to crawl out of a window of his car and immediately began removing his license plates. Another vehicle pulled up to the scene moments later, and Mr. Strong was photographed by a witness getting into that car while holding his license plates and leaving the scene. At no point did Mr. Strong check on the victim, purposefully leave behind any identifying information, or contact Norfolk Police. At some point after the crash, Mr. Strong fled the state. He was apprehended by U.S. Marshals and returned to Norfolk.

Mr. Strong pleaded guilty as charged on Thursday to felony hit and run, and Judge Jerrauld C. Jones accepted his plea. Mr. Strong is docketed for sentencing on Oct. 20.

“In any vehicle crash, everyone absolutely must stay at the scene to help anyone who is injured,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Leaving the scene only makes it worse. It may cost a victim his life, and it will come with consequences to the person who leaves. Stay and help.”

Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Emily A. Woodley is prosecuting Mr. Strong’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth.

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