Ricky TateChatham, VA - A Pittsylvania County man was found guilty Wednesday of reckless driving and felony hit and run after running an SUV into a home and leaving the scene earlier this year.
Ricky Tate Jr. was accused of stealing an SUV from a neighbor's home, ran a stop sign and crashed the vehicle into the home of James and Judy Widner before leaving the scene in a volunteer firefighter's pick-up truck.
Tate was also charged with driving on a suspended license. A grand larceny charge for stealing the truck was dismissed.
He admits he was on his way to buy drugs and looking down to send a text when he crashed. The Widner's home was almost destroyed and their dog was killed.
Sentencing will be in early February.
