Fatal Hit-And-Run Suspect Guilty

SNOW HILL -- A Virginia man who struck and killed a pedestrian on Coastal Highway on Memorial Day while driving drunk pleaded guilty last week in Worcester County Circuit Court to negligent homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence.

Early in the morning last Memorial Day, Ocean City Police responded to the area of 54th Street and Coastal Highway for a reported hit-and-run accident involving a pedestrian. The investigation revealed the pedestrian, later identified as Matthew Jude Cheswick, was attempting to cross Coastal Highway from east to west when he was struck by an Isuzu Rodeo traveling northbound in the bus lane.

After striking the victim, the driver, identified as Diogo Miller Facchini, 30, of Lorton, Va., continued to travel north on Coastal Highway before turning right on 55th Street, where witnesses followed his vehicle until he was apprehended by police. The preliminary investigation revealed Facchini was traveling at a speed exceeding the posted limit when he struck Cheswick, who later died.

Meanwhile, Facchini, who was not injured during the collision, was arrested and charged with homicide by motor vehicle while intoxicated, leaving the scene of a fatal collision, driving under the influence and while impaired and numerous other traffic violations. Last week in Circuit Court, Facchini pleaded guilty to negligent homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and failure to immediately stop a vehicle at the scene of an accident involving a fatality.

The negligent homicide by motor vehicle conviction carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. A pre-sentence investigation was ordered.