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Vol. 33, No. 21 | Richmond Suburban News | September 28, 2016
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Teen indicted in wreck that killed two By Melody Kinser Managing Editor
HANOVER — Nikolas Seth Fleming, 18, has been indicted on two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the April 23 deaths of Dylan Ballard, 17, and Elliott Hinton, 22, both of Mechanicsville. A Hanover County Grand Jury handed down the indictments on Tuesday, Sept. 20. Fleming was arraigned on Wednesday, Sept. 21, and released on a $20,000 bond. Sgt. James R. Cooper of the Hanover County Sheriff ’s
Office said, “Fleming was the driver of the 2001 Dodge pickup truck that crashed on Cold Harbor Road on April 23, 2016, claiming the lives of Dylan Ballard, 17, and Elliott Hinton, 22.” R.E. “Trip” Chalkley III, commonwealth’s attorney for Hanover County, said last Tuesday that “the next thing that happens is we will select a court date, but I have no idea as to when that will be until we find what available dates are with the court and the defense counsel.” Col. David R. Hines, sher-
iff, said, “I am very proud of our investigators who worked tirelessly to bring a successful conclusion to this investigation. We will continue to support the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office as this case goes to trial.” The crash took place around 10:36 p.m. at 6089 Cold Harbor Road in Mechanicsville. Ballard and Hinton died when the 2001 four-door Dodge Ram pickup truck in which they were passengers Photos courtesy of the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office struck a tree head-on. They Nikolas Seth Fleming, left, has been indicted for two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the see INDICTED, pg. 13
April 23 deaths of Dylan Ballard, center, and Elliott Hinton. A wreck took place on Cold Harbor Road in Mechanicsville.
Law firm, council review rail opposition By Logan Barry for The Mechanicsville Local
File photo by Jim Ridolphi
Ashland Town Council members continue to voice their opposition to a high-speed rail proposal after having contracted the Williams Mullen law firm to represent the municipality.
ASHLAND — Lobbyists from the law firm of Williams Mullen’s Government Group recently discussed with Ashland Town Council the municipality’s opposition with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT)
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concerning the DC2RVA high-speed rail proposal. The rail issue topped the agenda for the Sept. 20 regular council meeting. Council hired the Williams Mullen firm in response to the potential addition of a third rail proposed by the DRPT. If approved, the high-speed rail would roll straight through Ashland alongside the
two existing railroad tracks that already pass through the town. Kenneth Hutcheson, director of government affairs for Williams Mullen’s Richmond location and vice chairman of the law firm’s government relations practice group, along with attorney and state
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