Elderly Woman Charged in Hit and Run Death of Six Year Old Boy

 Posted on October 05, 2012 in Criminal Defense

A tip to police from an auto body shop has led to the arrest of an elderly Woodstock woman in the hit and run death of 6 year old Brayan Silva, of Leland. Veramae C. Phillip, 83, faces felony charges of failure to report a fatal traffic crash and leaving the scene of a fatal traffic crash.

The Chicago Tribune reported that the boy, who celebrated his sixth birthday on August 30^th, was walking with his family on Franklinville Road, just southwest of Woodstock, around 9 p.m. when he was hit by the 2001 silver Chevy Malibu driven by Philips.

After the accident, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office contacted auto shops and tow companies in the area, asking for their help in finding the vehicle that hit Brayan. An auto body shop in Marengo contacted police and reported a silver Malibu with a damaged headlight. Police confirmed it was the car that was involved in the fatality and issued a warrant for Phillip. She turned herself in to police immediately upon learning of the warrant.

According to police, Phillip told them the conditions while she was driving were rainy and dark. She told them she didn’t know she had hit anyone, but thought a branch had fallen on her car and left the scene. McHenry County Undersheriff Andrew Zinke told the press that Philip is very distraught over the death and has cooperated fully with police. She has been released on $50,000 bail.

If you have been involved in a serious accident and have been arrested, you need the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Convictions of felony charges could mean a prison sentence. Consult with a qualified Cook County defense lawyer today.