Falls Church man pleads guilty to hit-and-run on I-395

Falls Church admitted to leaving the scene after hitting a motorcyclist on I-395 earlier this year.

Fullas Abebe, 45, pleaded guilty yesterday (Thursday) to a charge of hit and run in Arlington County Circuit Court.

The plea deal calls for Abebe to serve one day to six months in prison. Any sentence handed down by Judge Daniel Lopez would otherwise have been limited to five years of active imprisonment.

Abebe was originally charged with failure to stop at the scene of an accident causing bodily injury, a Class 5 felony that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. state law.

Video of the incident, posted to X by local public safety observer Dave Statter, shows a car rear-ending a motorcycle while traveling south on I-395 near the Pentagon back in May.

After instantly coming to a complete stop, the gray Honda Odyssey pulls into the other lane before speeding away from the scene of the accident.

“Mr. Abebe, the driver, failed to remain at the scene, exit his vehicle, leave his information or attempt to assist the victim as required by law,” the statement of facts said.

A police officer who arrived at the scene found the victim’s motorcycle on the ground and witnesses who saw him seriously injured, the statement said. He was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for significant road rash and spinal fractures.

Make it 12:38pm, obviously.

— Dave Statter (@STATter911) May 26, 2024

Meanwhile, other motorcyclists riding behind the crash appeared to have started chasing the fleeing driver. Law enforcement was able to locate Abebe later that day thanks to “information provided by a witness to the crash,” Virginia State Police said.

When officers met him outside the residence, Abebe “appeared to be intoxicated,” the statement of facts said. At the same time, a drunk driving check was not initiated.

According to the document, Abebe told the officers, “Did I kill him? He hit the brakes on me. Did I kill him? You could just lock me up.”

When police said Abebe’s car was damaged and its airbags deployed. He also had a leg injury.

The annual Rolling to Remember motorcycle race was spent the weekend accident, with a large gathering in the North Pentagon parking lot that morning. It was not immediately clear if the victim was a participant.

Abebe’s sentencing is scheduled for January 17 at 1 p.m