A Williamsburg man was charged with aggravated involuntary manslaughter in connection with a Feb. 22 single-vehicle accident in Prince Edward that led to the death of a Hampden-Sydney College (H-SC) student.

According to a Prince Edward County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Tristan Goering, 22, of Williamsburg, was charged with “involuntary manslaughter-DUI.”

Explaining the presence of the DUI acronym, Prince Edward County Commonwealth’s Attorney Megan Clark said, “The aggravated involuntary manslaughter (charge) alleges that the defendant, among other things, operated the motor vehicle in violation of Virginia Code Section 18.2-266 (driving under the influence).”

Goering, who was one of four H-SC students in the vehicle at the time of the incident, was arrested July 1 according to the Prince Edward County Circuit Court listing online in the Virginia Courts Case Information system.

Clark said Monday that Goering is out on bond.

“His next court appearance is Sept. 25 at 9 a.m.,” she said. “… We will decide at that time whether to set a date for trial or plea.”

On Feb. 22, Hampden-Sydney Volunteer Fire Department Chief L.W. Gilliam said, “There was an accident last night on Abilene Road that did involve Hampden-Sydney students and did have one fatality.”

He cited that four people had been in the vehicle, and H-SC Director of Communications Gordon Neal confirmed that all four individuals involved in the accident were Hampden-Sydney students.

VSP Public Relations Director Corinne N. Geller later noted that Alexander M. Byrne, 22, of Williamsburg, died at the scene. He was a Hampden-Sydney senior.

She said Goering, the driver of the vehicle, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

The other two passengers, males who were 21 years old at the time, were also transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, Geller said.

They were seniors Robert D. Munn and Shay A. Wood.

Providing additional details on the incident itself, Geller said that the accident occurred “on Route 665/Abilene Road less than a mile east of Route 604/Darlington Heights Road.”

“A 2009 Audi A4 was traveling west on Route 665 when it ran off the right side of the highway as it came into a curve,” she said. “The vehicle struck the ditch and then a tree before catching fire.”

The fire department was notified of the incident at 12:42 a.m., Gilliam said, adding that the department and Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad were the first agencies to respond.

“Our engine was on scene within five minutes of the call, and we showed up to a fully involved car fire,” he said.

Gilliam stated that the fire was put out quickly.

He said three of the people in the car were transported to Centra Southside Community Hospital for treatment.

“But then later on in the night, they were transferred to Richmond,” he said.

Geller stated that neither Goering nor Byrne were wearing seat belts.