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

DATE: MONDAY, July 5, 1993                   TAG: 9307050092
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: HOLIDAY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SINGLE-CAR ACCIDENT KILLS ROANOKE MAN

He was identified as John Elbert Thornhill, 83.

Police said they were waiting for a report from the medical examiner to determine whether the man was killed in the accident or whether the accident resulted from a physical condition.

The accident happened shortly after 11 a.m.

Thornhill had been talking to a clerk in Sheila's Hilltop Country Grocery. He owned the building, although he did not operate the business.

Police said Thornhill backed from a parking space at the convenience store and, apparently accelerating, backed onto 11th Street, onto the sidewalk and into the driveway of a transmission business.

The vehicle continued backwards onto the lot and hit a retaining wall and metal post.

Police said the driver's door opened as the car struck the post. Thornhill fell or was thrown from the car and suffered a massive head injury.

A clerk at the convenience store said Thornhill did not appear to be having any problems while he was there.

Keywords:
FATALITY