VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Portsmouth man is facing voluntary manslaughter and reckless speeding charges stemming from a multi-vehicle crash in September that claimed one person's life and injured another driver, the Virginia Beach Police Department announced Tuesday.
Ricardo Beckles, 23, was heading west in the 1200 block of Shore Drive in the late afternoon of September 29 when he allegedly tried to pass a car in the left lane, striking two vehicles.
Police said Beckles first hit 24-year-old Ayana Paul's vehicle, causing her to lose control and strike a tree. She died at the scene.
Beckles struck the rear of a second vehicle, leaving that driver with minor injuries. That driver and Beckles were both taken to a hospital for treatment.
He was ultimately arrested on Thursday, October 12.
Paul was a member of the Navy and a student at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), according to a statement from Johnson O. Akinleye, the university's chancellor.
"A native of San Diego, California, Ayana proudly served her country as a U.S. Navy operations specialist with dreams of becoming an athletic trainer for a professional sports team" said Akinleye. "She was especially passionate about sports and still holds several records from her time as a soccer and track and field athlete in high school. She will be remembered for her career-driven attitude, bubbly personality and ‘live-with-no-regrets’ perspective."
NCCU said it was offering resources to students amidst the tragedy.