Driver In Fatal DMV Test Accident Faces Misdemeanor

By Sam Thrift Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Williamsburg Police have charged 36-year-old Diep Thi Ngoc Le of James City County with reckless driving for a fatal accident that occurred while she was taking a driving test for the Department of Motor Vehicles July 14.

DMV employee Shirley Martin, a 56-year-old Newport News resident, died during the single-car accident while conducting Le’s road skills test.

According to Major Greg Riley of the Williamsburg Police Department, the accident happened shortly before noon. Le, driving a 1998 Honda four door, was going south on Parkway Drive in Williamsburg when the car crossed over Penniman Road and left the roadway. The car overturned after it struck a tree in a field near the intersection.

Martin was airlifted from the scene and transported to MCV in Richmond, where she died around 1:30 a.m. July 15. Le received medical treatment for injuries caused by the accident but did not require a long hospital stay, according to Riley.

Riley said the investigation took over two months because of the amount of time it takes to conduct a thorough reconstruction of the accident scene and get medical reports.

Le is not under arrest, but was issued a summons Saturday for reckless driving, a misdemeanor.

Le did have a valid learners permit when the accident took place, Riley said.