Charges dropped against motorist who struck, killed pedestrian in Albemarle County [Video]

The criminal case against a motorist who struck and killed a pedestrian on Rio Road in northern Albemarle County has ended after nearly two years.

An Albemarle prosecutor moved April 9 to drop the misdemeanor careless driving charge against 29-year-old Warren Lee Thurston.

“It would be unjust to pursue this case against Mr. Thurston with the evidence we have at this time,” said Ray Szwabowski, the assistant commonwealth’s attorney who made the motion to dismiss the charge.

Szwabowski told the Albemarle County General District Court about the events that transpired shortly after 9 p.m. on June 19, 2022, after Thurston drove out of the Walmart parking lot off U.S. 29.

Szwabowski said Thurston traveled south down U.S. 29 and took the exit ramp to make a left turn onto Rio Road East. The prosecutor said he then headed toward a green light at the intersection that connects two shopping centers, …