Woman arrested in hit-and-run death of UGA student

Athens-Clarke County Police Department’s Public Information Officer Lieutenant Shaun Barnett has announced that 28-year-old Virkerria Steward has been arrested in connection to a fatal hit-and-run that killed a University of Georgia Student on March 21.

According to Barnett, 21-year-old Knox Whiten of Toccoa, died when he was struck by a vehicle, allegedly driven by Steward, on Chase Street near the outer loop.

Steward is charged with first-degree homicide by vehicle, hit and run resulting in serious injury or death, false report of a crime, and driving with a suspended license.

Barnett says Steward has been in police custody since March 21 on unrelated charges.

He adds that shortly after the hit-and-run incident, a Chevy Cruze was set on fire in Jackson County.

Based on physical evidence located at the scene of the crash, according to Barnett, officers were able to determine that the vehicle that was set on fire in Jackson County was related to the hit-and-run.

He says Steward reported her vehicle as stolen, but officers were able to determine that it was not stolen and that she was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Barnett adds that other involved parties could likely face charges related to this incident as well.

The investigation is ongoing.