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

DATE: THURSDAY, November 3, 1994                   TAG: 9411030093
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT                                LENGTH: Medium

TROOPER ALTERS REPORT ON FATAL MULTICAR WRECK

A state trooper who responded to a fatal five-car collision on Halloween night has changed his report after further investigation of the incident.

Franklin County High School senior Ishan R. Washington, 17, of Rocky Mount, was killed when he was struck by two cars involved in the pile-up on a dark and foggy section of U.S. 220 just north of Dudley's Truck Stop in Franklin County.

Trooper L.W. Turner said parts of his initial report were inaccurate based mainly on a false statement from a person involved in the accident. After interviewing witnesses late Monday night and Tuesday, Turner said he will file a final report that details the following:

Washington was riding in a car driven by Antuan L. Muse, 18, of Rocky Mount, when Muse's car rear-ended another vehicle in a southbound lane of U.S. 220. Muse and Washington got out of their car and were walking to check on the conditions of the two people in the car in front of them - Germaine and Eric Mommerency of Ferrum.

At that point, Washington was struck by a pickup truck driven by Melvin L. Camden, 24, of Ferrum.

Muse then went to try to help his friend. About 30 seconds after Washington was hit, a car driven by Peggy J. Clark, 41, of Martinsville, slammed into the driver's side door of Muse's car. The vehicles came to rest broadside in the middle of U.S. 220.

Thirty to 40 seconds later, Turner said, a car driven by Dale A. Overstreet, 26, of Rocky Mount hit both cars and the two teen-agers, who were still in the middle of the road.

Washington, the son of Franklin County High School assistant principal George Washington, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Muse was listed in satisfactory condition at Roanoke Memorial Hospital on Wednesday night.

Five others injured in the wreck were treated and released from local hospitals late Monday and early Tuesday.

Turner said he plans to discuss possible charges related to the accident with Franklin County Commonwealth's Attorney Cliff Hapgood.

The section of U.S. 220 where the wreck happened was closed from 10 p.m. Monday to 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, Turner said.

Washington was the 16th person killed on Franklin County roadways this year.

Keywords:
FATALITY

by CNB