Bond denied for Old Dominion student charged with attempted murder in car crash
Staff writer |
Matthew Rushin (Courtesy Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office)
A judge on Thursday refused to grant bond for an Old Dominion University student charged with attempted murder for his role in a crash last week that critically injured a 77-year-old man.
Matthew Rushin, 20, was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe SUV at about 65 mph on a busy section of First Colonial Road last Friday evening when he crossed the median and drove into oncoming traffic, prosecutor Michael DeFricke told the judge.
"This was not an accident," the prosecutor said. "He was driving aggressively at a high rate of speed."
Two vehicles were struck, including a Ford Expedition driven by a 77-year-old man, DeFricke said. The man remains hospitalized in an intensive care unit, the prosecutor said. He suffered two collapsed lungs, a broken leg, a brain bleed, and other injuries, according to a bail determination sheet.
Rushin told witnesses he was trying to kill himself and attempted to flee the scene, DeFricke said. Prosecutors expect to file more charges in the case, including hit and run, he said.
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Rushin is a graduate of Landstown High School and a second-year mechanical engineering student at ODU, according to his family. He's never been in trouble before, and poses very little risk if released on bond, defense attorney Larry Slipow argued.
Judge Teresa Hammons disagreed and denied the request. "There does seem to be a reckless disregard for human life," she said. The judge also said that she believes a mental health evaluation may be a good idea.
While it's unusual for attempted murder or murder charges to be filed in an automobile accident, it does happen.
In 2013, a Norfolk man was charged with murder for causing an eight-vehicle pileup on U.S. 460 in Suffolk that resulted in one death. Ronald Frank Quesenberry III later was allowed to enter Alford pleas to involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving and was sentenced to five years in prison.
​Jane Harper, 757-222-5097, jane.harper@pilotonline.com
First Colonial Road
Matthew Rushin
Virginia Beach Police