In a recent trial that has captured the attention of the Arlington community, Willie James Clements Jr. has been convicted of aggravated malicious wounding and hit and run. The conviction stems from a harrowing incident where Maryna Kapovska was thrown from a moving car in the early hours of May 15, 2022. According to reports, Kapovska was mistakenly picked up by Clements after mistaking his vehicle for her ride-share in Washington, D.C. Instead of correcting the misunderstanding, Clements drove her around before ejecting her from the vehicle on Wilson Blvd., resulting in severe head trauma for Kapovska.
The Arlington County Police Department was praised for their relentless investigative work, which eventually led to Clements’ identification and arrest. The complex case was brought to trial by prosecutors Nassir Aboreden and Abhi Mehta, who navigated through challenging legal issues to present their case. Throughout the nearly two-year legal process, victim witness advocates, led by Lydia Hatcher, provided unwavering support to Kapovska, who miraculously survived the ordeal but suffered significant memory loss due to her injuries.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti highlighted Kapovska’s resilience and the community’s support in her recovery. The verdict, according to Dehghani-Tafti, is a step towards Kapovska’s healing journey, and she expressed gratitude towards the jury for their commitment to justice. The sentencing for Clements is scheduled for May 3, 2024, where he faces the possibility of life imprisonment for the aggravated malicious wounding charge, in addition to ten years for the hit and run.
This case underscores the importance of safety and vigilance in ride-sharing interactions and brings to light the remarkable efforts of local law enforcement and the legal team in ensuring justice is served. The Arlington community stands in solidarity with Kapovska as she continues to recover from this life-altering event.