Arrest Made in a Year-Old Fatal Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Crash

A man has been arrested in connection with the fatal hit-and-run pedestrian crash that occurred on Jan. 18, 2019. Michael Smith, 30, of Fredericksburg, now faces a charge of felony hit-and-run.

Officers responded to the report of a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian on Arlington Boulevard near Summerfield Road, at approximately six Jan. 18, 2019. The pedestrian was crossing Arlington Boulevard, not in a crosswalk, and was hit by a dark colored mid to full-size pickup truck with an open bed. The truck did not stop and drove away from the scene. The pedestrian, 93-year-old Pericles Apostolou, from Falls Church, was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives from Crash Reconstruction Unit worked extensively to identify the suspect. Through their investigative leads and tips received from the community, Smith was identified and arrested by Manassas City Police on Feb. 6. He is currently being held at Fairfax County’s Adult Detention Center with no bond.

Detectives continue to investigate three unsolved fatal hit-and-run pedestrian cases from 2018 and 2019. They continue to ask for the public’s help for information leading to the identities of the drivers. The links for the unsolved cases are Reston Dec. 29, 2018, McLean Feb 26, 2019 and Mount Vernon Oct 6, 2019.

Anyone with information about this incident or the other three cases is asked to contact the Crash Reconstruction Unit witness phone line: 703-280-0543. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by visiting http://fairfaxcrimesolvers.org, or calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). They can also be sent in via text by texting “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES (274637). Text STOP to 274637 to cancel, or HELP to 274637 for help. Message and data rates may apply. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 if their information leads to an arrest.