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

DATE: THURSDAY, June 2, 1994                   TAG: 9406020081
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FIELDALE                                LENGTH: Medium

TEEN DIES PLAYING `CHICKEN' - LYING IN MIDDLE OF ROAD

Robert James Layman, 18, of Patrick Springs died at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County about two hours after he was struck late Sunday night, state Trooper D.W. Ferguson said Tuesday.

Ferguson said Layman told emergency room staff members at the hospital that he was lying in the middle of the road as part of a game of chicken.

A movie released last year showed young people playing a similar game. ``The Program'' featured football players lying in the middle of a highway to test their bravery. In the movie, cars whizzed past the young men as they lay untouched on the center line.

The Walt Disney Co. removed the scene from the movie and coming-attractions promotions after a teen-ager was killed when struck by a pickup in Polk, Pa. The parents said their son was mimicking the scene in the movie.

Ferguson said he had not determined if Layman was emulating the movie scene.

Layman was struck about 11:15 p.m. Sunday on two-lane Virginia 761 west of Fieldale.

Ferguson said John R. Orander, 29, of Collinsville, was driving east when he noticed a pedestrian on the right side of the road start moving on the roadway.

Orander told police he drove his car left into the center of the road to avoid the pedestrian and struck something on the road.

After realizing it was a person he had hit, Orander drove to a nearby convenience store to call for help, Ferguson said. Just after that, a second vehicle struck Layman.

Ferguson said his investigation was continuing. He said several other young people were at the scene with Layman, but he said he has not been able to interview them.

No charges have been filed.

Keywords:
FATALITY