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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 10, 1995                   TAG: 9505100067
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FREDERICKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

BAD LUCK'S LIKE MONEY IN THE BANK

Pam Koger had survived one violent armed bank robbery at a bank where she worked. She stayed in banking after a car crashed into a bank where she was employed three years ago.

But when another car roared into the Union Bank & Trust building in Fredericksburg last month and pinned her at the desk where she was working, she decided enough was enough - time to find a safer line of work.

``With my history, I feel like a different career will be better for me,'' said Koger, whose last day at the bank is Friday. ``Even though these are freak accidents, they seem to keep happening.''

Koger was working at Union Bank on April 5 when a car going in reverse crashed through the front door and into her desk. The desk pinned her between her hip and rib cage, but somehow she escaped without any broken bones.

``I was pretty banged up, but two or three more inches and I would have been crushed,'' she said.

Koger was working in a Martinsville bank when a car plowed through the lobby. And she was employed by a Ferrum bank when a gunman entered the bank and demanded money.

Koger said her colleagues at Union Bank have been understanding. She's also grateful for the concern the community has shown. Many called the bank to check on her after reading news accounts of the accident.

A city judge cleared Loretta Washington on Friday of reckless driving in the incident. A mechanic testified that a faulty transmission caused Washington's car to jolt forward and back uncontrollably.

Washington, 63, is glad to have the experience behind her.

``It was horrible. I'm just so glad the lady wasn't hurt bad,'' she said.

After the car demolished two sets of double doors and pinned Koger, it shot forward, out of the lobby, hit a curb and leaped into the air, demolishing a bank sign and a stop sign. The car continued down the street, through a chain-link fence and finally came to a stop in the middle of a football field.

William Beale, president of the bank, said a new front entrance will be in place by the beginning of June.

by CNB