A 64-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run that injured 16-year-old Portsmouth cyclist Kendell Tolbert, according to the Portsmouth Police Department. WAVY.com reported that Tolbert had left a convenience store and was riding home on London Boulevard when a vehicle struck him and left.
WAVY.com reported that the crash happened on the evening of Sept. 28, while 13News Now placed it a day earlier, on Sept. 27. The reports differ on the date, and the discrepancy has not been independently reconciled.
WAVY's initial crime report placed the crash in the 1300 block of London Boulevard at around 7:30 p.m. and described Tolbert's injuries as non-life-threatening. A later report from the outlet said he had 12 facial fractures, a skull fracture and brain bleeding, among other injuries.
Driver Fled Before Officers Arrived
Police said at the time that the driver did not remain on scene, and that the investigation was active as detectives worked to identify who was behind the wheel. Virginia law is explicit on what drivers are supposed to do in this situation: under Virginia Code § 46.2-894, a driver involved in a crash that injures someone is required to immediately stop as close to the scene as possible without blocking traffic.
Sharon Wright, 64, was arrested in connection with the hit-and-run, according to the Portsmouth Police Department. She was charged under the same duty-to-stop statute cited above. In weaker reporting from 13News Now, Wright is described as facing a felony hit-and-run charge tied to an incident involving a child on Sept. 27, though that detail has not been corroborated elsewhere.
Family Turns to Community for Help
Tolbert's family spoke with WAVY's Ethan Krauss this week as the teen continues to recover from his injuries. To help cover the mounting costs, a GoFundMe has been set up to cover medical bills, physical therapy and rehabilitation expenses, as reported by WAVY.com.
Statewide bicycle-crash context
Virginia DMV counted 690 bicycle crashes statewide in 2024, representing 0.5% of all traffic crashes, according to its 2024 Traffic Crash Facts report. That statewide figure provides context but, by itself, does not show how Portsmouth compares.
Tolbert's family is focused on his recovery, while Portsmouth investigators continue working the case.
