ALCOHOL A FACTOR IN DEADLY AUTO CRASH, POLICE SAY

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 19, 1993                   TAG: 9303190279
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Short
ALCOHOL A FACTOR IN DEADLY AUTO CRASH, POLICE SAY
State police, who are continuing their investigation of a traffic accident March 11 that killed a Blacksburg man, say alcohol was a contributing factor.
Daniel Stetler, 21, of Progress Street was driving south on Virginia 685 when he was struck head-on by a car driven by Phillip W. Linkous, 33, of Blacksburg.
Stetler was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital by Life Guard-10 and was pronounced dead at about 11:30 p.m.
Trooper Joe Diamond said Linkous' car crossed the double line and went onto the wrong side of the road, striking Stetler's car.
Linkous' car then spun and was struck by a third car driven by Cleve G. Smithers, 21, of Austinville.
Linkous was taken to Radford Community Hospital for multiple injuries, including broken hips and internal injuries, Diamond said. Linkous was in good condition Thursday, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Diamond said alcohol was found in Linkous' car and that hospital records show he was under the influence.
Smithers and Stetler were wearing seat belts, the trooper said. Diamond was not sure if Linkous was wearing a seat belt.
Smithers was treated and released at Montgomery Regional Hospital.
The wreck happened shortly after 9 p.m. about a mile north of Virginia 114, just above the water treatment plant.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB