WASHINGTON -- A Suitland, Md. man has been charged with second-degree murder after a hit and run accident killed a cyclist in D.C. last month.
Phillip Peoples, 20, was arrested after he allegedly ran a stoplight and hit Thomas Hollowell, 64, who was on a bicycle on Constitution Ave in D.C.
Peoples made his first appearance in D.C. Superior Court on Saturday afternoon. Peoples’ attorney, Matthew Davies, argued for the Maryland man to be released on bond. Davies pointed out Peoples lives with his girlfriend and child, is currently working and going to college to become a medical assistant.
However, prosecutor Michael Liebman asked that Peoples be held in jail without bond. Liebman pointed out Peoples has five prior traffic violations in Maryland.
Police said Hollowell was on his bike, crossing 12th St. NW at Constitution Ave in the crosswalk. A driver in a dark-colored sedan, possibly trying to beat a red light, hit Hollowell at a high rate of speed. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and later died.
Peoples was arrested on Friday.
Hollowell’s wife and other supporters were in court for Peoples’ first appearance Saturday. They were too emotional to make a statement following the appearance. However, Carol Regier, Hollowell’s wife, had previously spoken with WUSA9.
“I hope and pray there was a real reason for why he had to go so fast,” said Regier soon after the crash.
After much back and forth, the judge ruled Peoples would be held without bond. The judge said he based his decision on Peoples' conduct after the crash, the fact that he left the scene and his prior traffic violations. He also said, referencing an affidavit, that Peoples gave a false statement to police during the investigation by saying he was not in the suspect vehicle.
Peoples will appear in court for his preliminary hearing on October 23 at 9:30 a.m.
