Richard Teegarden Obituary, Death, Police: 52-year-old Newport News man killed in Hampton hit-and-run.

Richard Teegarden Obituary, Death – A man who was fatally struck in a hit-and-run incident on Sunday night in Hampton has been identified by police. The victim, 52-year-old Richard Teegarden of Newport News, was killed while trying to cross Mercury Boulevard — a stretch of road that has now become the site of multiple deadly accidents in 2025.

According to the Hampton Police Division, officers responded to a report of a pedestrian lying in the roadway at the intersection of West Mercury Boulevard and North Armistead Avenue at around 10:48 p.m. Sunday. When they arrived, they discovered Teegarden in the eastbound lanes of Mercury Boulevard, where he had been hit by a vehicle.

Authorities said Teegarden had been using a designated crosswalk at the time of the incident. However, the driver of the vehicle that struck him did not stop and instead fled the scene, prompting a hit-and-run investigation. Emergency responders were unable to save Teegarden, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

At the time of the crash, Teegarden did not have any form of identification on him, making it difficult for officers to immediately notify his next of kin. Over the following days, detectives worked to confirm his identity and were able to notify his family on Tuesday of the tragic news.

Police have yet to arrest a suspect in the case, and as of now, no description of the vehicle involved has been released to the public. Hampton Police spokesman Shaun Stalnaker explained that while investigators have developed some promising leads in the case, they are currently choosing not to release the vehicle’s description as it may interfere with the ongoing investigation.

The hit-and-run marks the fifth fatal traffic accident on Mercury Boulevard in Hampton this year. According to data from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), that accounts for nearly half — 45 percent — of the city’s total 11 traffic fatalities in 2025 so far. This troubling trend has raised concerns among residents and city officials alike about the safety of the busy thoroughfare, especially for pedestrians.

Mercury Boulevard is a major road in Hampton and serves as a central artery for both local and through traffic. Its high volume of vehicles and wide lanes can make it hazardous for pedestrians, even in areas where crosswalks are present. The circumstances of Teegarden’s death highlight ongoing issues with driver responsibility, pedestrian safety, and law enforcement’s ability to track down suspects in hit-and-run cases.

The incident has left many in the community grieving and searching for answers. Teegarden’s family, now coming to terms with their loss, must also cope with the fact that the person responsible for his death remains at large. Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has knowledge of the vehicle or driver involved to come forward and assist in the investigation.

Hampton Police are asking the public to report any relevant information by calling 757-727-6111 or by contacting the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. They also encourage the use of the anonymous tip submission platform P3Tips.com, where individuals can share details securely and without revealing their identities. Tips that lead to an arrest in the case may be eligible for a cash reward of up to \$1,500.

The police department is continuing to work diligently on the case and hopes that additional leads will soon help them locate the driver responsible for Teegarden’s death. In the meantime, the city is left mourning another life lost on Mercury Boulevard — a road that has gained a tragic reputation in 2025 for its rising toll of fatal crashes.

As investigations continue, the Hampton Police Division and community safety advocates may look into additional measures to make high-risk intersections like the one at Mercury and Armistead safer for pedestrians. Whether through increased signage, better lighting, pedestrian signals, or enforcement of traffic laws, the goal would be to prevent future tragedies like the one that claimed Richard Teegarden’s life.

Teegarden’s death not only represents a personal loss for his loved ones but also adds to a growing concern across the region about driver accountability and the need for safer roadways. With hit-and-run cases often proving difficult to solve, public cooperation becomes all the more essential.

While detectives pursue all available leads, the hope remains that someone in the community will come forward with the information necessary to bring justice for Teegarden and closure to his grieving family.