Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 30, 1993 TAG: 9307300037
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY CELESTE KATZ STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Ralph Walters, 4, was buckled into the passenger seat of the car that his father, the Rev. Joseph L. Walters, 34, was driving south on Virginia 311, said police Lt. T.W. Haynes. About 8:50 a.m., they stopped behind a car driven by Gregory Howard of Catawba, who was making a left turn onto Dutch Oven Road.
A dump truck driven by Kevin Wade Payne of Roanoke struck the back of the Walters' car, sending it into the northbound lane. There, a second dump truck, driven by Michael Mayo of New Castle, hit the car head on.
The compact car tumbled off the road and down an embankment, flipping several times.
The child was taken by helicopter to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, but attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the trauma center from severe head injuries, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
The father suffered many bone fractures, including a broken arm and broken legs. After surgery, Walters - minister of the Catawba Valley Baptist Church and a chaplain at Catawba Hospital - was listed in very serious condition by intensive-care workers.
No one in the other vehicles was seriously injured.
County police were investigating the accident. Thursday night, no charges had been filed.
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB