New Details Emerge in Hit-and-Run Case

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Harrisonburg, Va.
Posted: 12:41 AM Jan 8, 2009
Last Updated: 7:23 PM Jan 8, 2009
Reporter: Haley Harrison
Email Address: hharrison@whsv.com

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New information surfaces in the case of a Tuesday morning hit-and-run that killed a jogger and mother of four.

Harrisonburg Police caught up with Bethany Jones Tuesday night after they say she left the scene of the accident on South Main Street and Port Republic Road. The victim of the accident was avid jogger and mother of four, 55-year-old Sherry Anderson.

Jones allegedly confessed, voluntarily, that the night before the accident, she was at the Pub, a Harrisonburg restaurant where she tends bar. When her shift ended around 2 a.m. Tuesday morning, she stuck around to drink with two other people.

Police say she left the Pub, went to another establishment and then back to the Pub at the end of the night. Allegedly, she told police they drank beer but she could not remember how many drinks she had over the course of the night.

When police first questioned Jones Tuesday night, 12 hours after the crash, they say she still smelled of alcohol. They also say she admitted to driving drunk the night before and recalled hitting something in the road on her way home. These and other revealing details in the case emerged Wednesday in court.

The search for a suspect began at the scene of the accident. Soon, police found their biggest clue was also one of the smallest. Using a broken piece of headlight, police say they were able to track down the car and then Jones.

Even before she was arrested, police say Jones confessed to hitting something in the road that morning. After being questioned, they say her boyfriend drove her to the police station for more interviews.

Jones said she didn't see Anderson, who was dressed head to toe in reflective gear, possibly because, as she told police, she was looking down at a CD player in her car.

Jones allegedly told police if she thought she hit a dog, she would have stopped. Instead, police say Jones drove home with her car's windshield shattered on the passenger's side.

Police say Jones claims when she hit something she knew she shouldn't be driving drunk and went home. In court Wednesday, Jones' attorney, H. David O'Donnell, said she didn't run from the scene but went home instead.

"Flight is a primal instinct," says O'Donnell.

Commonwealth's Attorney Marsha Garst fired back saying, "There should be a primal instinct to help."

It was also revealed in court that just in the past several months, Jones had been off probation for a previous DWI conviction when she hit Anderson. Garst says Jones was convicted in 2007 for a summer 2006 DWI. At that time, Garst says Jones' blood alcohol level was almost three times the legal limit at 0.22.

Jones was given a $20,000 bond in Harrisonburg's General District Court Wednesday. An appeal by Garst was denied by the court later Wednesday afternoon. Then Jones was given a higher bond of $30,000, ordered to have a substance abuse evaluation, required to remain free of alcohol and ordered to have her license suspended. Jones is also not allowed to have contact with the victim's family.

Garst argued against bond Wednesday, noting Jones' previous problems with alcohol. She says Jones could also be a risk to herself for a comment she made to police when she learned the victim of the accident died. Allegedly, Jones told police she could "just die."

O'Donnell argued in favor of bond because of Jones' connections to the community. Jones has lived in Harrisonburg for four years and has a sister who is a student at JMU. Her parents, who were present at the bond hearing, live in Roanoke.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: love Location: staunton on Jan 19, 2009 at 06:36 PM
I 2 have been at that the pub and seen the workers drink on the clock and i have frirnds that are close with workers there and say they have stayed and drank with them after hourls many time so it is happening

Posted by: LP on Jan 11, 2009 at 08:09 AM
Anybody who doesn't keep an eye on what goes on his bar after closing is asking for trouble. The story so far seems to be that three employees were involved in leaving, going to another bar and drinking before coming back to finish closing. Are we supposed to believe that's the very first time anything that sloppy ever happened at the Pub?

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 10, 2009 at 05:20 AM
I drive for my job in the early morning in the downtown area and i know for a fact that she and the other joggers jog waaaay too dangerously in the road. I had to swerve out of my lane that very morning to avoid hitting them. Obviously there is something wrong with that picture. Especially when there is a sidewalk 2 feet away. Yes, the driver was wrong for drinking and driving, and also for fleeing the scene. But don't let the lesson be lost here that people still need to be careful. I can only hope that in the future, people take the necessary precautions to protect themselves

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 9, 2009 at 05:16 PM
I know because I've been there and drank WITH Bess and various other employees after hours, and during shifts. The reason so many people have a similar story is because it was common behavior for this establishment. Whether Bill knew about it or not is immaterial, he's the owner and he is liable for his employee's behavior. It very well could be that he simply trusted the wrong people, especially in the case of Bess and Wes, but it turned out to be a very costly mistake. And sadly, this isn't even close to the worst part of this story. A life was lost and others have been ruined.

Posted by: ANGRY ME on Jan 9, 2009 at 03:38 PM
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW HOW EVERY KNOWS THAT THEY DRINK AFTER HOURS AT THE PUB, OR HOW THEY KNEW BESS AND OTHERS DRINK ON THE CLOCK. WERE YOU THERE, WERE YOU A BARTENDER, OR A BOUNCER, HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS STUFF. ARE YOU A FRIEND OF BESS. IF YOU KNOW THESE THINGS FOR A FACT THEN OU ARE JUST AS QUILTY AS THE REST. BILL DID NOT KNOW THAT THE EMPLOYEES DRANK AFTER HOURS. HE HOLDED THE TRUST IN THEM TO DO THEIR JOB AND SHE BETRAYED IT. WHAT DO YOU WANT BILL TO ABOUT IT, HE IS JUST AS SHOCKED AS ANYONE ELSE, THAT SHE HAD BEEN DRINKING AFTER HOURS AND HE ADMITTED THAT. ABC LAW STATES THAT ONCE SHE LEFT THE BAR AT THE END OF HER SHIFT SHE SHOULD NOT OF RETURNED TO THE BAR. IT WAS CLOSED FOR THE NIGHT HOW WERE THEY TO KNOW SHE WAS GOING TO GO BACK TO THE BAR. ABC ALSO SAYS THAT THE BAR IS LIABLE IF YOU SERVE A PATRON ALCOHOL THAT IS INTOXICATED INSTEAD OF CUTTING THEM OFF AND THEY WRECK AND HURT SOMEONE ELSE. BUT BESS SERVED HERSELF NOT THE BARTENDERS THERE WAS NO ONE THERE TO CUT HER OFF.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 9, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Given the facts that Bess has been employed and known to drink while working, that her boyfriend is a manager at the Pub, that drinking after hours has been a common practice there for years, and that he was there with her that night, yet left her DRUNK and ALONE to fend for herself on her way home, how do you not think that the Pub could be held liable for this terrible accident? They did not condone it, but they turned a blind eye to this behavior, and it is sad that it took a tragedy that has ruined several lives before something was done to change it. Personally, I cannot imagine how any of the people involved in this are dealing with the unbelievable guilt they must be feeling. It makes me sick to my stomach just to consider it.

Posted by: angry me on Jan 9, 2009 at 08:43 AM
FRIEND: I am not a friend of Bess or a Friend of Sherry. I do on the other hand know more details about the situation then you will ever know. And there was a public statement made by the bar owner of the pub last night, Finnigan's as yet to comment on the situation. So what does that tell ya. You can not hold the Pub responsible for something Bess especially knowing herself that she should not have been there after 2 consuming alcohol, when she was the acting night manager. And when you fill out an application for employment you are not going to put "I am and alcoholic, I am a druggie, I am a sex addict, etc." She had been employeed there long before the management took over. The ex-general manager would have hired anything as long it had big tatas, and a nice butt. He could of cared less what addiction they had. I am not defending Bess, but I am defending the Pub. If she had been driving her bf's car he would be behind bars, what's that tell ya. She doesn't care who she takes down.

Posted by: Curious about others compassion Location: Harrisonburg on Jan 9, 2009 at 12:12 AM
You all kill me ~ those of you sitting on here defending the PUB or defending "Bess" need to place yourselves in the shoes of the family that lost their mother and/or wife. Where is your compassion? As far as I see it "Bess" broke the law, she has a previous record and her careless actions caused a death ~ she should be sentenced and pay the price to the max. The PUB has previous records as well so who in their right mind is going to believe any of the other workers that were there or the owner for that matter. The other workers don't want to lose their jobs, and the owner doesn't want to lose his business ... WAKE UP ... The Andersons didn't want to lose a loved one. Someone has to pay for this terrible crime and the mere fact that "Bess" left the scene only makes it ten times worse and giving her another break will only allow her to do this all over again. Marsha Garst ~ the justice system needs to prove justice in this case so you need to make it happen.

Posted by: friend Location: harrisonburg on Jan 8, 2009 at 06:33 PM
Regardless of Ms. Jones connections to the community and her family, she drank, got into a vehicle, DRUNK, and drove, she struck and killed someones wife, mother and friend. And yet she is still concidered a asset to the community. Think of the victims family. All of the excuses made. A life was taken, by someone who didn't have enough commen sense not to drink and drive. Who cares about the resturant and bar, what about the victim. drunk drivers regardless of who they are and what they do should be punished to the fullest regardless of what may have impaired their judgement, its only an excuse. How does a alcohalic get a job as a bartender? She got probation for her first offence, she knew she could get away with this.

Posted by: LP on Jan 8, 2009 at 05:16 PM
To Sam and Angry Me: To those of us not familiar with the bar scene, all we have to go on is the media accounts and the word on the street. And the Pub doesn't score very well on either count. As of now, the story as reported is that she claimed to have been drinking at these two places AFTER her shift ended at 2 AM. If the news stories are wrong on the timeline here and I were the owner of either of these two places I would make a public statement ASAP.

Posted by: Friend Location: harrisonburg on Jan 8, 2009 at 04:43 PM
Angry Me: Sherry was wearing reflective clothing not just on her shoes. She wasn't running in the middle of the road. She was off to the side. And how do you know that she runs with that group of people. She was only running with 1 person on Tuesday. Ms. Jones has admitted to drinking after hours at The Pub. She also admitted that she was driving home from The Pub not that there was a 3 hour span. Do you think that the people she was with weren't also drinking? They aren't going to admit that they saw her drinking. They probably were also drunk and don't remember. Your friend knew she hit something(she probably knew it was a person) and didn't have the decency to stop because she knew she was in a lot of trouble. My friend Sherry is gone because of Ms. Jones. She needs to pay the price. Henry: distance runners usual run in the road, it is easier on their joints and the sidewalks can be very uneven and hard to run on.

Posted by: ANGRY ME on Jan 8, 2009 at 04:34 PM
MY HEART GOES OT TO THE ANDERSON FAMILY AND HOPE BESS GET WHAT SHE DESERVES. BUT I DON'T THINK THE PUB SHOULD SUFFER FOR HER NEGLIGENCE, CARELESSNESS, AND HEARTLESSNESS OF WHAT SHE HAS DONE. THE PUB HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT THROUGHT THE YEARS AND MOST OF WHICH THEY ARE PAYING FOR NOW THAT TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE NEW OWNERS TOOK OVER IN 2006. YOU MAY HAVE STAYE LATE ON NIGHTS AND DRANK AFTER HOURS BUT NOT NOW. NOT WITH THE NEW MANAGEMENT. THEY CARE DEEPLY FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AND THE CUSTOMERS. I HAVE KNOWN THEM TO TAKE CUSTOMERS HOME IF THEY COULDN'T GET A CAB OR HAVE A DD TO TAKE THEM HOME. JUST TO ENSURE THAT THEY GOT HOME SAFELY. THE OWNERS CONSIDER THEM ALL TO BE A LARGE CLOSE FAMILY, AND THEY WOULD NEVER WANT FOR ONE OF THEM TO ENDANGER THEIR LIFE OR ANOTHER ONE'S LIFE. FOR BESS TO DO WHAT SHE HAD DONE AND TO HOLD IT AGAINST THE PUB IS JUST UNJUSTIFIABLE IN ALL MEANS. I AM TRULY SYMPATHETIC FOR THE VICTIM'S FAMILY. I JUST HOPE THAT THE DRINK THAT SHE HAD TO HAVE WAS WORTH IT TO HER.

Posted by: Sam Location: Burg on Jan 8, 2009 at 04:06 PM
So according to her attorney, flight is a primal instinct, yet she didn't run...perhaps, but by her actions, a mother is DEAD and she left the scene. I hope she is haunted for life by her actions and the stupid pub is hit with a lawsuit that closes it's doors.

Posted by: ANGRY ME on Jan 8, 2009 at 03:30 PM
fIRST THING FIRST "BESS" CLOCKED OUT AT 1:06 AM AND WENT TO FINNIGAN'S. SHE THEN WENT BACK TO THE PUB FINISH CLEANING UP AFTER GATHERING HER BOYFRIEND FROM FINNIGAN'S. THEY LEFT THE PUB AT 230 A.M.THERE WAS A THREE HOUR TIME SPAM FROM WHERE SHE LEFT THE PUB AND HIT SHERRY. HER AND HER BOYFRIEND WERE ARGUING AND SHE IS AN ALCOHOLIC SOME I AM SURE SHE HAD ALCOHOL IN HER CAR OR SOME WHERRE ELSE. HOW CAN IT BE THE OWNER OF THE PUB'S FAULT WHEN NO ONE CAN TESTIFY THEY SAW HER DRINKING AT THE PUB. EVEN HER BOYFRIEND SAYS THEY DIDN'T DRINK AT THE PUB. ANOTHER THING I AM ANGRIER THAN HELL WITH "BESS" BUT THE PAPER'S AREN'T ALL TRUE EITHER. SHERRY WAS WEARING ALL BLACK CLOTHES WITH TINY REFLECTORS ON HER SHOES, NO WHERE ELSE. ALSO SHE WAS JOGGING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND NOT ON THE SIDEWALK. THE GROUP THAT JOGS WITH HER EVERY MORNING HAVE BEEN CONFRONTED MANY TIMES TO STAY ON THE SIDE WALK AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DO SO. I AM SADDENED FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND THINK THAT "BESS" SHOULD PAY!

Posted by: Henry Location: Staunton on Jan 8, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Is there a sidewalk where the victim was hit? Did the car go on to the sidewalk and hit the victim? Was the victim running in the road? If so why was she in the road?

Posted by: Elizabeth Location: Waynesboro on Jan 8, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Has anyone here worked in a bar or for that matter worked at all? When you hire someone, you trust that they will follow the rules. I don’t think it is fair to place blame on the owner of the pub. He doesn’t invite his employees or guest to stay after and drink. We are adults and should take responsibility for our actions. As a former bar tender and former manager of a bar you can only enforce the rules as much as possible. SHOULD an employee come back and drink (after you have locked up etc) how is that the manager or owner's fault. I think the blame needs to be placed on the driver. she didn’t learn her lesson the first time. Its very sad that we are so quick to pass blame on the victim or the bar(s). Be an adult! its as simple as that. it sounds like the truth lies between what happened and what we read, so again who knows where she was and what she was doing but again I believe she should alone hold the blame and hopefully will learn this time

Posted by: Matthew Location: Weyers Cave on Jan 8, 2009 at 02:10 PM
You can not blame the owner of "The Pub" for this. He puts his trust into who he has working for him just like other places do. The trust to him was broken also. If he has to pay for something a worker of his did on there own time, then why arent the parents of people who murder and rape and rob not get in trouble also? Bess will pay for what she did, but that is the only one that committed the crime. Not either places where she got drinks.

Posted by: Frank Location: Harrisonburg on Jan 8, 2009 at 01:09 PM
Sam is exactly right. Finnegan's does not allow that sort of behavior to go on. The Pub, on the other hand, has done so consistently since I have frequented the establishment (going on 4 years) and probably longer. As for Catherine a few posts below, I can tell you why I feel sorry for Bess. I feel for her because I wouldn't wish what she has to live with on my worst enemy. This is a true tragedy and there is no outcome that will change it.

Posted by: Sam Location: Harrisonburg on Jan 8, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Hello?? Anyone pay attention to the news ever? The Pub is not allowed to serve past 1am, and on a Monday night there is not much business in The Pub, obviously Ms. Jones got out of work before Finnegan's closed, drank there, then back to the Pub (she obviously has/had a key) and drank there until god knows when in the AM....everyone keeps saying Finnegan's should get in trouble too over this, Finnegan's never lets people stay after closing, NEVER. I know a lot of people that work there and I have to leave by 2 just like everyone else, that's just business. This all really falls on the negligance of the owner of the Pub for not having any control in his own bar, he is just as guilty as Ms. Jones for all of this.

Posted by: Runner Location: Staunton on Jan 8, 2009 at 12:30 PM
How dare you, how DARE you blame this on the victim! I'm disgusted by the comment from Mt. Jackson. Sherry Anderson was dressed in reflective gear and was on the correct side of the road. She was doing everything she should have done to protect herself and she had every right to be out running without having to worry about being murdered by a drunk driver. I didn't know Ms. Anderson but I weep for her family and I pray they don't read your thoughtless, mean-spirited comments. I guess I shouldn't be surprised...as usual, the first thing some in this community want to do is blame the victim. (I'm thinking back to Shay Nicholson and how that poor young man was maligned after his tragic murder.)

Posted by: CATHERINE Location: HARRONBURG on Jan 8, 2009 at 11:22 AM
I CAN'T SEE HOW PEOPLE CAN FEEL SOORY FOR MS. JONES. SHE NOT ONLY WAS DRIVING DRUNK BUT VIOLATED THE VIRGINIA ABC LAWS, BUT TOOK A LIFE. THE VICTIM WAS WEARING REFLECTIVE GEAR AND HAS NO CONTROL OVER DRUNKS. DO YOU THINK SHE WANTED TO DIE? NO NO NO.. HAS THESE ESTABLISHMENTS PACED CHARGES ON THEIR EMPLOYEES FOR DRINKING AFTER HOURS? IF NOT THE ABC BOARD SHOULD ARREST THEM ALL AND CHARGE THEM THEN CLOSE DOWN BOTH ESTABLISHMENTS. THERE ARE TO MANY CAS IN THIS DOWN SO DON'T MAKE EXCUSES FOR MS. JONES. YES THIS IS A ASHAME THAT SHE HAD A PREVIOUS DUI AND CONTINUES TO HAVE A ALCOHOL PROBLEM FOR SHE IS EDUCATED AND KNOWS BETTER.

Posted by: gabby Location: Harrisonburg on Jan 8, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I agree with senseless, the idea of a symbol on their license, once convicted of a DUI is a good idea, lawmakers need to make punishments for drunk driver stiffer. Repeat offenders of DUI are becoming way to common!!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:32 AM
i am not defenduing her but she did not try to hide her car. she didn't have to admit to drinking the night before, she did not hide her actions... a remorseful drunk driver action. yes driving while drinking is very stupid and lack of common sense but that is what alcohol does to a person they loss the ability to realize they can't do things. This is very sad and justice will get served it will not bring Sherry back, but hopefully others will learn from this, so it won't be repeated.

Posted by: Kim Location: Grottoes on Jan 8, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Something sounds a little fishy. If you didn't know what she hit because she was so drunk...how does she remember looking at her CD player as she said she was when it happened?? Sounds like someone is trying to cover up. She knew what she did. She knew she that she would be facing another DUI and thought she could get away with it. This is ashame. She took someones mother, wife, daughter, teacher, etc. If I hit a dog I stop and cry. How could she just leave someone lay there and die????

Posted by: senseless on Jan 8, 2009 at 09:51 AM
The penalty for a DUI or DWI should be to permanently lose your license after the first offense. There are too many repeat offenders and the consequences are deadly. There is absolutely no excuse to drive after drinking. Although, many people would continue to drive even with their license revoked. So, perhaps the penalty should be a symbol on their license that says they are not allowed to purchase alcohol(or on their state ID...a form of identification that people get if they don't/can't have a license). Obviously there are loopholes with that, too, b/c they could have someone buy alcohol for them. The point, people who drive drunk obviously have no common sense and they are putting the rest of us in danger. Therefore, we need to hold their hands and make it as difficult as possible for them to kill an innocent person.

Posted by: Lynn Location: Mt Jackson on Jan 8, 2009 at 09:42 AM
Seems to me both the victim, and the driver were at faught, The victim shouldn't have been jogging on a busy roadway, The driver shouldn't have been DUI. Doesn't excuse either, but just goes to show you that 99% of the time you alone are responsible for what happens to you. yea the young lady was DUI and should be punished for her actions, but the jogger in the road was in the wrong also and paid with her life, Both could have made different choises and the outcome would have different.

Posted by: Friend Location: Harrisonburg on Jan 8, 2009 at 09:06 AM
She said she would have stopped if she knew she hit a dog. She hit and killed Sherry. I think she knew she hit Sherry, that is why she fled. She knew she was in a lot more trouble for hitting a human being while drunk then from hitting a dog.

Posted by: Jean Location: Grottoes on Jan 8, 2009 at 07:45 AM
It is so sad for both family's,and now this young woman must live with this the rest of her life.I put some of the blame on The Pub,this place knew the law and went agaist it.So they have a part in this death. The state of Va. needs to crack down on these bars! Now this young person,will have to live with this her whole life. AND WE HAVE LOST ANOTHER LADY THAT WAS LOVED BY SO MANY! God bless all involved in this sad case.

Posted by: Debbie Location: churchville on Jan 8, 2009 at 07:43 AM
I guess she will be another one that will just get a slap on the wrist. seems like thats all they get, maybe stiffer laws would make people think. she should be in jail for the rest of her life. after all she took a life.

Posted by: LP Location: Harrisonburg on Jan 8, 2009 at 07:16 AM
If she didn't finish her shift until 2 and left and went to "another establishment" to drink shots as previously reported, the other establishment (identified in another WHSV story as Finnegans Cove) is also in violation of ABC regulations big time.

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