Former Stafford Deputy Indicted After Fatal Pedestrian Crash

Fredericksburg VA

25 January, 2022

10:42 AM

Description

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A former Stafford County deputy was indicted by a grand jury on Monday and charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving. The former deputy, John Yenchak, is accused of fatally striking a pedestrian with his car in July 2021. The crash occurred on Garrisonville Road near Center Street. Deputies responded to the scene around 12:09 a.m. on July 9. When they arrived on the scene, deputies attempted to provide first aid to the victim, but he was pronounced dead at the scene by rescue personnel. Authorities have identified the pedestrian as 44-year-old Jesse Schertz of Norfolk. Investigators with the Traffic Safety Unit began an investigation. They determined that the deputy was travelling eastbound on Garrisonville Road while Schertz was attempting to cross the street, according to a report from the sheriff's office. Authorities have not said whether the pedestrian was in a crosswalk. Read more: Pedestrian Dies After Being Hit By Stafford Deputy's Car: Police After the crash, Deputy Yenchak was placed on administrative leave while authorities conducted criminal and internal investigations. Authorities said that Yenchak "separated" from the sheriff's office in December 2021. They did not note whether he resigned or was fired. The case has been assigned to a special prosecutor, Paul Walther, who is the Commonwealth's Attorney for Culpeper County. Though Yenchak was indicted by a grand jury on Monday on reckless driving and involuntary manslaughter charges, his court date has not yet been set. If he is convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Yenchack could face up to 10 years in prison.