A motorist is facing several charges following a hit and run accident Monday night in Smithfield. Police said the driver they later arrested told them he left the scene so he could go home to obtain his insurance information.
Around 11:00 pm, Smithfield Police said a 1991 Jeep driven by James Nicholas Worley of Big Pine Key, Florida was slowing down for a stop sign at the intersection of S. Equity Drive and Outlet Center Drive. As Worley was about to come to a complete stop at the intersection, a 1988 Mercedes Benz traveling on Outlet Center Drive attempted to make an abrupt turn onto S. Equity Drive, colliding head-on with Worley’s Jeep.
After the impact, the driver of the Mercedes exchanged words with the victim before fleeing from the scene. Police said the Mercedes fled towards Smithfield Cinemas. Officers located the vehicle stuck in a ditch but the operator was nowhere to be found.
Officers ran the license plate number and based on that information went to an address on North Fifth Street where they located 28 year-old Anthony Leon Robinson Jr. Robinson allegedly admitted driving the Mercedes but said he left the scene to go home to obtain his insurance information. Police Chief R.K. Powell said Robinson contacted a family member to pick him up after his vehicle became stuck in the ditch.
Robinson was arrested at his home about 90 minutes after the crash and charged with driving while impaired, hit and run, and failing to maintain lane control. He registered 0.08 on the Breathalyzer, Chief Powell said.
No injuries were reported. Each vehicle sustained an estimated $2,000 in damage.
