A driver is facing charges after Smithfield Police said he was involved in two hit and run crashes one minute apart, then a third hit and run collision that injured a pedestrian days later. All three accidents happened on Berkshire Road.
Police said the first wreck occurred at 6:08am Monday, Feb. 8th on Berkshire Road near Hospital Road. According to an accident report, Timothy Anquan Saunders, 31, of S. Powell Street, Princeton was operating a 2004 Chevy Tahoe that swerved in front of a 2003 Ford pickup truck sideswiping the Ford. Saunders did not stop at the scene.
A minute later, at 6:09am, police said Saunders was pulling into a parking lot on Berskhire Road, while traveling at 25mph, and struck the driver’s side door of a parked 2016 Buick. Saunders once again left the scene.
Police officers began searching for the hit and run Tahoe and located the SUV a short distance away, reportedly still being driven by Saunders. A traffic stop was conducted and a K-9 alerted on the vehicle for possible narcotics. During a search, 13.5 grams of powder cocaine and 2.5 grams of crack cocaine was allegedly found.
Saunders was charged with numerous offenses including possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, maintaining a vehicle for a controlled substance, and two counts of hit and run. No injuries were reported in the two accidents that caused an estimated $8,600 in property damages.
Saunders was jailed Feb. 8th on a $75,000 bond. He was released later that same day after a bondsman posted his bail.
On Monday, February 15th at 4:56am, Smithfield Police said Saunders was driving a 2002 Jaguar in the parking lot of the Berskhire Apartments at 950 Berkshire Road and collided with the metal support beam for a porch in front of an apartment unit. The beam fell, striking a 29 year-old man who was standing outside his apartment. The victim said Saunders stared at him for a few moments then fled from the scene without checking on his condition. The victim was transported by EMS to Johnston Health in Smithfield for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Police said additional charges are pending against Timothy Saunders in connection with the Feb. 15th hit and run incident.
Would’ve been nice if the bail was higher or secured so that he wouldn’t have been able to get out. Now he’s going to kill an innocent person driving around while strung out on crack.