NORFOLK, Va. — A Norfolk man will spend more than a year behind bars for fleeing a crash he caused outside Granby High School earlier this year.
Gilley Nash Gilreath, 33, was sentenced on Friday, Nov. 7, to serve one year and four months in prison for felony hit-and-run. He’s also been ordered to pay $13,140 in restitution to the victims of the March 22, 2024, crash that involved three vehicles — including his own.
According to court documents, Gilreath was driving north on the 7100 block of Granby Street when he rear-ended the vehicle in front of him, pushing it into a third car. All three were damaged. One driver reported pain at the scene. Gilreath didn’t stay to check on anyone — instead, he grabbed some belongings from his car and walked away toward his home.
He didn’t exchange insurance info. He didn’t wait for police.
What he didn’t count on: school-zone cameras outside Granby High. The cameras caught the crash and clearly showed him walking off. That footage led investigators to his identity, and Norfolk Police arrested him shortly afterward.
This fall, on Aug. 7, Gilreath took a plea deal. He pleaded guilty to a felony hit-and-run in exchange for dropping a related misdemeanor charge. Prosecutors and his attorney argued over how much time he should serve — the Commonwealth pushed for the midpoint of state guidelines (20 months), while Gilreath’s defense argued for less.
Judge Jamilah D. LeCruise ultimately gave him 16 months behind bars, suspending another 32 months on the condition that he pays full restitution and completes three years of good behavior after his release.
Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi emphasized the seriousness of leaving a crash scene.
“It is a crime to leave the scene of a car crash, regardless of who is at fault,” said Fatehi. “By leaving the scene, Mr. Gilreath seriously compounded his problems and potentially endangered the health of others.”
Fatehi urged the public to stay at the scene and help if involved in an accident — noting that staying behind “could save a life.”