Virginia State Police Seek Ford Expedition After Fatal Hit-and-Run Kills Pedestrian in Bedford County

Virginia State Police seek a damaged Ford Expedition after a hit-and-run killed Robert Lee Dresser in Bedford County. Call 1-800-542-5959 with tips.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 9:51 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from WDBJ7

A Late Night Collision on Waterlick Road

The Virginia State Police have launched a criminal investigation into a fatal hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of a Thaxton man in the early hours of Friday, March 6, 2026. According to official reports from troopers, the collision occurred shortly before 12:29 a.m. at the intersection of Waterlick Road and Valleywood Drive in Bedford County. A vehicle, traveling eastbound, reportedly veered off the right side of the roadway, striking a residential mailbox before colliding with a pedestrian. The victim was identified by authorities as 57-year-old Robert Lee Dresser, who was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.

Search for a Damaged Ford Expedition

Investigative leads have pinpointed the suspect vehicle as a Ford Expedition, based on evidence recovered at the crash site. Troopers noted that the driver failed to stop or report the incident, opting instead to flee the area immediately following the impact. The vehicle is expected to have visible indicators of the collision, specifically a missing side mirror and a damaged passenger side grill. Law enforcement officials emphasize that the extent of the damage should make the SUV recognizable to the public or automotive repair shops in the Roanoke and Bedford regions.

Identifying the Victim and Local Impact

The loss of Robert Lee Dresser has resonated through the small community of Thaxton, where he resided. While the specific circumstances of why Dresser was walking near the intersection after midnight have not been disclosed, the finality of the hit-and-run has left a void in the local neighborhood. State police are currently working to reconstruct the sequence of events to determine the speed of the vehicle and the exact point of impact. This tragedy adds to a string of recent traffic-related fatalities in the area, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding pedestrian safety on secondary routes like Waterlick Road.