The Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse
A 22-year-old Providence Forge man entered Alford pleas Friday to two charges related to a May streetracing accident that resulted in a man being dragged 4 miles beneath a car.
An Alford plea is offered when a person accused of a crime admits there is sufficient evidence for a conviction while not admitting guilt. Michael Robinson entered the pleas for felony hit and causing a death from streetracing, also a felony. He had been facing one count of felony homicide — a charge levied against someone who is believed to have committed a felony resulting in another person’s death — however that charge was dropped. An involuntary manslaughter charge was also dropped.
Robinson initially pleaded not guilty to the charges in October. He had been scheduled to go before a jury for a two-day trial on Feb. 6. He faces between one and 30 years in prison and will be sentenced March 21.
Robinson was streetracing with 30-year-old LeTroy Prince Wallace at about 3 p.m. May 18, according to police. Both men were traveling at a high rate of speed on Richmond Road when Wallace’s vehicle hydroplaned and crashed into trees near James City County Recycling, ejecting him onto the roadway. Robinson then struck Wallace, pinning him beneath his Honda Prelude for more than four miles until another motorist in New Kent County alerted him to the presence of Wallace.
Wallace died from his injuries May 21. He had two 8-year-old children in the car who suffered minor injuries.
At Robinson’s preliminary hearing in July, Williamsburg-James City County Commonwealth’s Attorney Nate Green played a 911 tape. Robinson identified himself and his car to the dispatcher before twice saying “he’s dead.” He also told the dispatcher he was driving to “find a station.”
During that hearing, Sgt. Brian Staton of the James City County Police Department testified he interviewed Robinson in New Kent County. Staton said Robinson told him Wallace had “picked a race” with him and he “took him up on it.” He also said Robinson told him he had seen Wallace crash his Volkswagen.
Sgt. William McMichael, the lead investigator of the case, testified he reviewed footage from cameras at James City County Recycling, showing the two vehicles traveling at a “significantly” higher rate of speed than the posted 55 mph limit.
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