Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 29, 1994 TAG: 9411290124
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
About 9:40 a.m., a Bronco driven by Joshua Turner of Daleville attempted to merge onto the interstate at exit 150. State police said Turner saw another car beside him and swerved quickly back into his lane, losing control of his vehicle.
The Bronco flipped several times across the highway's southbound lanes, throwing Turner from the vehicle. Turner was not wearing a seat belt, said Trooper Steven McChesney. He was treated at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. State police charged him with failing to maintain control of his vehicle.
Minutes later, Bonnie J. Pedersen of Waynesville, N.C., slowed to avoid the accident and her vehicle was rear-ended by a car driven by Robert Armour of Nashville, Tenn. Then, Armour's car was rear-ended by Keith Knight of Oakton.
Armour's wife, Leandra, was treated for a leg injury at Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley. Armour and Knight were charged with failing to maintain control of their automobiles, state police said.
About 10 a.m., a 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass crested a ridge located near the accidents and crashed into an embankment when someone cut in front of the car. The driver was not injured. Five minutes later, a car rear-ended a tractor-trailer that was stopped on the highway, according to Trooper Dale Gaskins.
Those accidents added to the workload of already road-weary troopers, who had dealt with more than 20 crashes Sunday night along the same stretch of Interstate 81. None of those accidents resulted in serious injuries, according to Sgt. R.A. Black.
"People are in a hurry to get to where they're going and they're going too fast for the road conditions," Black said. "You have to slow down and watch for the other person."
by CNB