VBPD Investigating Fatal Crash Involving Pedestrian on Pacific Avenue

On May 21, 2026, at approximately 9 p.m., Emergency Communications and Citizen Services (ECCS) received a call reporting a crash involving a pedestrian in the 900 block of Pacific Avenue. Officers from the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) and personnel from the Virginia Beach Fire Department and Virginia Beach Emergency Medical Services responded to find Kathleen Bachand (F/34) of Virginia Beach, deceased in the roadway.

A preliminary investigation by the VBPD Traffic Safety Unit (TSU) determined that Bachand was struck and killed in a marked crosswalk by a vehicle that fled the scene.  Officers subsequently located the driver, John Peacock (M/48), of Virginia Beach in a nearby hotel parking lot. Peacock was taken into custody without incident and charged with manslaughter and felony hit and run.

Alcohol impairment is suspected in this offense.

This incident remains under investigation by the VBPD Traffic Safety Unit. Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to contact VBPD at (757) 385-4606 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Solvers at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or P3Tips.com.

(Note: The charges mentioned in this press release are accusations, and the arrested individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.)