Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 11, 1994 TAG: 9410110148
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Eyewitnesses said the car, which was headed north in the inside lane, swerved into the grassy median. As the car came out of the ditch, it rose into the air and landed in the middle of the southbound lane, hitting the tow truck just north of the Colonial Avenue exit.
It took Roanoke rescue workers almost a half-hour using the Jaws of Life to cut open the roof trapping Sterling Fizer Jr. Fizer, the passenger in the car, was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital and treated for internal injuries, police said.
Temple J. Jackson, the driver of the car, was charged with failure to maintain proper control, police said. She also was taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries.
The tow truck driver, Robert Voorhees, and passenger, Shelly Alcorn, were treated at the hospital and released.
Traffic was backed up for more than a mile, with one and occasionally both southbound lanes closed.
By November 1993, eight people in three years had been killed on this stretch of highway between the Elm Avenue and Wonju Avenue exits.
In January 1994, Roanoke City Council included widening of the highway in their thoroughfare wish list. No specific plans to improve the highway have been developed.
by CNB