VSP: Suspect in fatal weekend hit-and-run in Augusta County said he thought he hit a deer
STAUNTON — A suspect accused of killing a man in an alleged hit-and-run on Interstate 81 last weekend in Augusta County told police he thought he'd struck a deer, according to court documents.
He also admitted to drinking alcohol before and after the incident.
On Sunday shortly before 4 a.m., an unidentified man was found dead on I-81 next to the southbound lanes at mile marker 210. Virginia State Police located a license plate close to the man's body, as well as a number of vehicle parts on the ground, according to two affidavits for search warrants that were filed in Augusta County Circuit Court.
"Biological material marks were on the pavement and items from the victim were scattered at the scene," both affidavits said.
The suspect's 2005 Dodge Ram pickup was found in the 200 block of Windigrove Drive in Waynesboro, and it reportedly had matching damage when compared to debris discovered at the crash scene. Police spoke to the owner of the pickup, 25-year-old Austin W. Eavey, who admitted to hitting "what he thought was a deer," court documents said.
Eavey also reportedly said he was drinking alcohol prior to the incident and afterward.
After acquiring two search warrants, authorities collected hair follicles and a handgun from the pickup, and also seized Eavey's data from his cell phone, documents show.
Virginia State Police said the victim was a middle-aged man who was not carrying ID. Police said he had a backpack, was dressed in black with a hoodie that read "Missouri," and was wearing white Nike sneakers. He also had a tattoo on his right leg. The man's body was taken to the Office of the Medical Examiner for an autopsy and positive identification, police said. As of Thursday, the victim remained unidentified.
Eavey is charged with felony hit-and-run and involuntary manslaughter. He was released Wednesday from Middle River Regional Jail in Verona on a $25,000 bond, according to the jail.
Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Search warrants shed light on fatal Augusta County hit-and-run
