Alexandria Driver Faces Misdemeanor Charge After Crash That Killed Pedestrian

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The Grand Jury for the City of Alexandria returned an indictment this week related to the death of Gertrude Klackner, a 90 year-old city resident, the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney, Alexandria, announced Thursday.

Alexandria resident Sherri L. Sybert, 51, was charged with Reckless Driving-Misdemeanor, the Commonwealth's Attorney said. She was charged after a collision that took place Oct. 3, in the 300 block of Yoakum Parkway. Police responded to the scene that night at 7:11 p.m.

Klackner was walking across Yoakum Parkway when she was struck by a vehicle operated by Sybert. Klackner was hospitalized after the crash and died from her injuries Oct. 5. Reckless Driving is a class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a $2,500 fine, plus a license suspension of not more than 6 months.

Commonwealth's Attorney Bryan Porter said: "Virginia law is very clear, absent certain aggravating factors an accidental traffic death should be charged as reckless driving. In this case, the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation and her license was valid. There is no evidence suggesting that the driver was under the influence of intoxicants or was driving in a criminally negligent manner. Therefore the appropriate charge is reckless driving."

Approximate location of crash Oct. 3 in Alexandria (Google maps):