Commonwealth v. Joshua Ceruti Robinson; Nurse Sentenced to Seven Years for Hit and Run Crash that Resulted in Death of Decorated Former Servicemember

Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Joshua Ceruti Robinson, age 36, formerly of the 5000 block of Finn Road in Virginia Beach, Virginia, was sentenced for Hit and Run – Personal Injury.  A jury found him guilty of this charge in February 2026 but found him not guilty of Second-Degree Felony Murder and Involuntary Manslaughter.  Circuit Court Judge Salvatore Iaquinto, who presided over the trial, sentenced Robinson to ten (10) years in prison with three (3) years suspended, leaving seven (7) years to serve.  The maximum sentence for this charge is ten (10) years in prison, and this sentence greatly exceeds the recommendation of the Virginia State Sentencing Guidelines, which recommended a range of one (1) day to six (6) months. 

The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on the night of July 4, 2022, Joshua Robinson, Tyler Murphy, and a female friend were drinking at CP Shucker’s on Shore Drive in the City of Virginia Beach.  They left together with Robinson driving.  Murphy and Robinson got into an altercation in the car which resulted in Robinson kicking Murphy out of the car.  Murphy was struck by Robinson’s vehicle, which resulted in an open fracture of Murphy’s leg and severe head trauma.  Robinson, who was a pediatric nurse, recognized that Murphy had an open fracture, was bleeding from the head, and was experiencing agonal breathing.

Robinson and the female friend drove Murphy around for approximately an hour, passing Sentara Bayside Hospital and driving into Norfolk before finally bringing Murphy to Sentara Leigh Hospital.  While they were driving around, a police officer pulled up next to them and informed Robinson that his registration was expired.  At no point did Robinson ask the police officer for help or call 911.  Robinson told hospital staff and investigators various lies about how Murphy sustained his injuries, initially stating that Robinson found Murphy on the side of the road injured. 

Murphy was transported by medics from Sentara Leigh Hospital to Sentara Norfolk General Trauma Center where he died the following day.  In pronouncing his sentence today, Judge Iaquinto stated that if Robinson had sought medical attention for Murphy right away, it’s possible that he might have survived. 

Robinson has prior convictions for DUI, Reckless Driving, and Speeding.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael D. Defricke and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Courtney E. Lewis prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.