Michael Vicars, 45, of Kingsport, Tennessee, was killed early Monday after he was struck by a vehicle while walking along Bristol Highway in Scott County, Virginia. The driver left the scene, turning a deadly crash into a hit-and-run investigation.
The crash happened sometime between about 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on August 24, 2026, in the 2900 block of Bristol Highway, according to Virginia State Police. Investigators said Vicars was walking in the eastbound lane when a vehicle struck him.
Vicars died at the scene from injuries suffered in the crash. There was no chance for emergency crews to take him to a hospital, and the circumstances left investigators with a difficult question: Who was behind the wheel?
The vehicle involved did not stay at the crash site. The driver left before authorities could identify them, leaving investigators to piece together what happened during the early-morning hours.
For the people who knew Vicars, the story is not simply about a crash. He was a son, a friend and a loved one whose life extended far beyond the few moments that ended on Bristol Highway. His death has left those close to him dealing with a sudden loss.
Virginia State Police are now asking anyone who saw the crash or knows anything about the vehicle involved to speak with investigators. Even a small detail about what happened that morning could help authorities determine how the crash occurred and identify the driver.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Virginia State Police Division Four Dispatch at (540) 444-7788 or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov. Investigators are working to establish the full circumstances of the crash and find the person who left the scene.
Michael Vicars was 45 years old and lived in Kingsport, Tennessee. His death came suddenly, on a stretch of highway where investigators are now searching for answers. For his family and friends, the wait for those answers adds another painful layer to an already difficult loss.
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