Smithfield: Driver found guilty in Sept. 19 crosswalk death of Virginia Lyon

A judge found Selvin Adelso Vasquez-Perez guilty of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle on Wednesday, Oct. 14, after a bench trial in the Sept. 19 crash that killed Virginia Tucker Lyon of Smithfield, the Johnston County District Attorney's Office said Friday.

The office, as reported by The News & Observer, identified Lyon as 78. Vasquez-Perez is 20. JoCo Report's Sept. 22 arrest story said he is of Seven Springs in Wayne County. The News & Observer also described him as a Wayne County man.

Johnston County jail records list Selvin Vasquez-Perez, 20, booked Sept. 21 on a charge of misdemeanor death by vehicle.

Outlets citing the prosecutor's office disagree on which trial court heard the case. This story does not name the court.

What the prosecutor's office said happened

The crash was at Second and Market streets in downtown Smithfield, between the Johnston County Courthouse and a Wells Fargo building, the District Attorney's Office said, as reported by the Johnstonian News, The News & Observer and CBS 17.

Lyon was in a marked crosswalk when Vasquez-Perez's pickup turned left from Second Street onto Market Street and hit her, the office said. She died while receiving medical treatment. The Johnstonian News, citing the office, said she suffered multiple blunt-force injuries.

Investigators determined that alcohol, controlled substances and excessive speed did not contribute to the crash, the office said.

The sentence

After the conviction, he received an active 24-day sentence and credit for the full term already served, according to court records reported by The News & Observer. CBS 17 reported the same 24-day active sentence and credit, citing records.

The District Attorney's Office said he remains subject to a federal immigration detainer.

What officials said

Assistant District Attorney Keith Gordon prosecuted the case.

"Virginia Tucker Lyon lost her life while crossing the street in a marked crosswalk in downtown Smithfield," District Attorney Jason Waller said in a statement published by the Johnstonian News and CBS 17. "No outcome can undo that loss, but this conviction holds the defendant accountable for the consequences of his actions."

"Ms. Lyon was a beloved member of this community," Gordon said in his own statement, carried by the Johnstonian News and The News & Observer. "We extend our condolences to everyone who knew and loved her, and we appreciate the work of the officers and emergency personnel who responded to this tragedy."

We have not found the District Attorney's announcement on an official government page we could read.

Timeline

• Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026: Lyon is hit while crossing at Second and Market streets and later dies while receiving medical treatment, the District Attorney's Office said.
• Monday, Sept. 21: Vasquez-Perez is booked in the Johnston County jail, jail records show.
• Wednesday, Oct. 14: A judge finds him guilty after a bench trial, the District Attorney's Office said.
• Friday, Oct. 16: The District Attorney's Office announces the verdict.

What happens next

The District Attorney's Office said the federal immigration detainer remains in place. We will update this story if the office posts its own release, if a court record shows which court handled the trial, or if immigration authorities say whether they will take custody.