HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - The man accused of driving off during a police stop and crashing into the Chickahominy River is now charged with felony murder, involuntary manslaughter and hit-and-run in connection to the February crash, Henrico police said Monday afternoon.
Andrew Walters, 23, has been indicted on the new charges by a multi-jurisdictional grand jury, according to prosecutors. Walters had been held in Henrico Jail on a felony eluding charge, but the Sheriff's Office website indicated Walters now faces two counts of felony murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
Sisters 15-year old Amanda Irby and 26-year old Jessica Gallmyer were in Walters' car when it crashed in the water. Both were under water for a "significant amount of time," officials said. Both later died at the hospital.
Court advocates told the sisters' family to be in court on Monday. Prosecutors previously said additional charges were expected to be file against Walters.
Two misdemeanor charges were dropped against Walters last week.
Walters wrecked his vehicle in the Chickahominy River after running from officers who attempted to pull him over for speeding on Feb. 3, police said. Walters ran from the crash scene and was found about a mile away.
Walters’ grandfather said his grandson is on two types of medication. He said as long as Walters takes it “he’s sweet as can be, but if he goes off of it, he’s a handful.”
UPDATE: A previous version of this story said Walters would appear in court Monday. The Henrico County Clerk's Office said his appearance has been continued until April 3rd.
