Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
The Salem Police Department announced on Sunday it had arrested a Roanoke man in connection with a death that occurred Saturday night in the western quadrant of the city. Jeremy Christopher Williams, 30, has been charged with Second Degree Murder after the truck he was driving hit and killed a female acquaintance in the 1800 block of West Main Street, according to police.
The 911 Communications Center received a call for help Saturday at 8:36 p.m. in reference to an accident with injuries at a restaurant parking lot. Officers and rescue personnel responded to the scene and found a female with life threatening injuries. The victim, Ashley Marie Gearhart, 32, of Roanoke was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Williams did not attempt to leave the scene of the crime, and officers learned that he and the victim had been in a prior relationship. Williams was taken into custody by Salem Police officers, and he is being held without bond at the Salem-Roanoke County Jail.
This is the second fatality in the city this calendar year and it remains under investigation.
