Woman Charged with Felony Hit and Run at Merrifield Towing Lot: Police

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- Fairfax County Police say a Merrifield-area towing company employee was seriously injured after he was hit early Wednesday by a woman driver who fled the lot and hit him without stopping.

The 24-year-old woman has been charged with felony hit and run after striking the tow truck company employee at the Dominion Towing lot, police said. The incident took place at around 1:35 a.m. Wednesday, when the suspect walked onto the property, got into a car and started to drive away, according to police.

Dominion Towing is located at 2810 Juniper Street in the Merrifield area (see map below).

As she was about to exit the lot, the employee, a 37-year-old man, tried to stop her, police said. The suspect struck him and continued driving away, according to police.

Officers were called just after 2:10 a.m. when other towing employees noticed the victim was missing. They found him nearby and reported he seemed very disoriented and stunned, police said. Officers called for an ambulance and he was taken to the hospital.

An investigation led to the suspect’s identity. Detectives obtained a felony warrant charging Amber J. Harding, of Laurel, Md., with failing to stop in the event of a crash resulting in injury or death.

She was arrested Thursday and taken to jail. The victim remains in serious condition at the hospital.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fairfax County police at 703-691-2131 or you can Crime Solvers electronically by visiting http://www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES(274637).

Location of Dominion Towing in Merrifield (Google maps):

PHOTO: Amber J. Harding photo courtesy of FCPD