Speed kills

 

Haydon Alexander Kyle pleaded guilty to two counts of causing the death of another by racing, a class 6 felony, in Goochland Circuit Court on October 14 before the Hon. Timothy K. Sanner. Kyle is represented by Cody Villalon of Richmond. The defendant walked into court under his own power.

Following Kyle’s plea, Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney, John Lumpkins, Jr. presented a summary of evidence in the case to the Court. He stated that Kyle exhibited a "gross, wanton disregard for human life" that resulted in two deaths.

 About 11 p.m. on the night of May 18, 2024, Kyle and another young man were racing side by side on two lane Hockett Road when Kyle lost control of the 2011 BMW he was driving. The car left the road and hit a tree so hard that the vehicle broke into pieces. The crash plowed a debris field approximately 235 feet into the woods on the west side of Hockett Road, according to the crash report, Lumpkins said.

Kyle, belted upside down in the driver’s seat, was extricated by first responders and transported to the Medical College of Virginia trauma center. Two young men in the back seat, who were not restrained, were ejected from the car and believed to have died on impact.

Lumpkins played portions of the 911 calls reporting the accident. One caller, when asked to identify the make of the car, reported that it was in pieces. Occupants of the other car said that Kyle’s vehicle was more powerful than theirs and was far ahead when it crashed.

The accident report made by the Virginia State Police crash team included an image of the BMW’s speedometer “needle” stuck at the 112-mph indicator. The speed limit on Hockett Road is 55 mph, and 45 mph, clearly posted before the curve near the crash site. The VSP crash report also noted that one of the rear tires on Kyle’s vehicle was bald, the other had “insufficient” tread. A light rain was falling at the time of the accident.

Occupants of the other vehicle testified that on May 18, 2024, a group of teens gathered at the Cook Out in Short Pump decided to race up and down Rt. 288. On the way to 288, Kyle was alleged to have suggested that they go further west to a country road, Hockett, in Goochland. The deceased passengers recorded the race and subsequent crash on their phones. That footage, bodycam video from all responders, the complete crash report, the medical examiner’s finding on the cause of death of the two passengers, and other documentation of the incident was included in a package of evidence that Lumpkins gave to Judge Sanner to review before sentencing.

Lumpkins asked that Kyle’s bail be revoked, and he be taken into custody given that more than a year has passed since the incident. Villalon alluded to medical procedures that Kyle has undergone to treat the injuries he sustained in the crash, contended that his client is not a flight risk, and has been essentially confined to his home while recovering from his injuries. He said that Kyle needed to complete one more procedure.

Sanner granted continuance of the bond until he sentences Kyle on January 9, 2026, at which time victim witness statements will be heard by the court. The judge also ordered Kyle not to drive.

Families of the dead boys expressed outrage at Sanner’s bail ruling. “He gets to have one more Christmas at home. My son is still dead,” the mother of one of the victims cried.

According to the Code of Virginia injuring or causing the death of another while engaging in a race is a class 6 felony punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than one or more than 20 years of imprisonment. Conviction also requires suspension of driver’s license for not less than one or more than three years.