Memorial service honors crash victim

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - He was his parents' only son, but Hunter Richardson became a brother to many. "Just him being there; his smile could brighten up a room, the worst day, he could turn it into the best," friend Samuel Markham said.

Richardson's life was honored Tuesday morning at a memorial service just 4 days after he died. "It's overwhelming, its too much , it's still so surreal, it's I don't know," sighed Andrew Sullivan.

For some, it was a day to mourn a loss; for others, a time to celebrate a life. But together, they gathered to support one family. Centenary United Methodist Church holds approximately 700 people in its sanctuary and balcony. Still, there was standing room only.

"It speaks volumes about his character, a tremendous human being, it's hard to put into words."

"God makes everything happen for a reason, I'm sure He has a reason for this and you can see how many lives he touched."

It directly touched Garrett Staats life. Staats' daughter Charlotte survived the crash. She and Richardson were walking across the street near Town Center when they were hit. Police said the person driving the car, Natasha Herzog, 29, was drunk.

"There's always a lesson, the lesson's been being told for I don't know how many years, I guess since the invention of the MADD organization, so the lesson has been there, the message has been there, just got to get somebody to listen to it," Staats excliamed.

In a sad irony, tonight the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving will hold it's annual vigil to remember local victims.

"We're going to be lighting a candle with each victim's name in our local area and unfortunately that list continues to grow," said Southside President Michael Goodove.

Richardson's name could likely join that list. But it was clear to see his name already written across the hearts of the people he loved.

"Life is fragile, and I think he had it right: live like you might not have a tomorrow."
 

 

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For the first time since her DUI arrest last week, Natasha Herzog faced a Virginia Beach judge to answer the charges against her. Herzog is accused of driving drunk early Friday morning near Columbus and Market Streets near Town Center and hitting two pedestrians.

One of those pedestrians, Hunter Richardson, 23, was killed. The other pedestrian was seriously injured.

"My brother and his wife will never share another moment with their son, and they've have good memories and support, but nothing we can do will bring him back," Richardson's uncle told WAVY.com outside the courthouse Monday.

On his family's behalf, Bill Richardson went to court hoping Hon. Judge Teresa McCrimmon would deny bond for Herzog because it was her second DUI arrest. Court records obtained by WAVY.com show in 2005, Herzog plead guilty and paid a $500 fine.

"We feel like this is somebody that's disregarded the law; obviously it's caused us a great deal of pain in taking away the life of my nephew, my brother's only child, and we feel like maybe this is a way [repeat DUI offenders] can be kept away from hurting somebody else."

Before McCrimmon made a decision, Herzog asked to speak with an attorney she recently hired. Herzog's father, also in court, stood and gave the attorney's name and information to the judge. McCrimmon decided to wait before making a bond decision.

Outside the courtroom, Herzog's mother, Tricia offered a statement off camera: "We're here for our daughter and here to support her and praying for everyone involved."

Natasha Herzog previously denied an on-camera interview request from WAVY.com.

When asked if there was anything Herzog could say or do to help the Richardson family cope, Richardson said, "It's a little too late, If we could turn back the hands of time it would be great, and she could apologize and we could wipe the slate clean and start all over, but at this stage, the damage is done and that's the lesson; that this needs to be addressed prior to, because after it's done, it's done."

A memorial service is planned for Tuesday to celebrate the life of Hunter Richardson. The service will be held at the Centenary United Methodist Church on Cedar Lane in Portsmouth at 11am.

Herzog is currently being held without bond. Her next court date is December 14.

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An SUV traveling west bound on Columbus Street about 12:45 a.m. Friday was crossing over Market Street when it struck two pedestrians, a male and a female.

Both victims were taken to local hospitals with broken bones.

The male had internal injuries and required surgery. About 1:15pm, the male victim passed away at the hospital. He has been identified as Hunter Richardson, 23, of the 5400 block of Knotts Neck Road, Suffolk.

The female victim had leg injuries requiring surgery.

The driver of the crash has been identified as Natasha Herzog, 29. She has been charged with DUI second offense and refusal to take a breathalyzer. Herzog has also been charged with Manslaughter and Maiming.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, December 1 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Centenary United Methodist Church, located at 3312 Cedar Lane in Portsmouth, Virginia.

WAVY.com checked into court records and found this is the second time Herzog has been arrested for DUI. In 2005 she pleaded guilty and paid a $500 fine for DUI.