Richmond Hit-And-Run Claims Young Editor’s Life

Clear Facts

• Hope Cartwright, 23, assistant editor at Virginia Living magazine, was fatally struck in a Richmond hit-and-run.
• Latesha Coleman, the accused driver, has a history of criminal convictions and was driving with a suspended license.
• Prosecutors revealed video evidence showing Cartwright legally crossing, while the suspect was denied bond due to her criminal record.

The Richmond community mourns the passing of Hope Cartwright after a tragic hit-and-run incident Monday night. Cartwright, just 23, was crossing the street when she was hit by a vehicle that fled the scene.

Police identified Latesha Coleman as the suspect, who was later arrested at her residence after investigators tracked her using surveillance cameras.

Authorities reported that Coleman, 41, drove on a suspended license and has a criminal background including drug offenses, petit larceny, and repeated failures to appear in court.

The prosecution told the court Cartwright was lawfully crossing the street, wearing a white hat, and was visible in the daylight at the time of the crash.

Surveillance footage presented by prosecutors showed Coleman slowing down after the impact and then driving away.

Coleman’s defense claimed she believed she hit a curb or median, which prosecutors disputed due to the absence of such obstacles in the area.

Judge Victoria Pearson denied Coleman bond, citing concerns from the prosecutors about her history with the law.

Virginia Living magazine honored Cartwright, dedicating its most recent issue to her memory.

“She was a singular talent,” the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Madeline Mayhood said.

“We’re still reeling from this, and to be honest, I can’t really concentrate very well,” Mayhood told local media. “We’re just taking it one minute at a time, and we’ll figure out our way through it.”

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