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

DATE: SATURDAY, July 8, 1995                   TAG: 9507100049
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI                                 LENGTH: Short

2 TEEN-AGERS HURT WHEN THEIR BIKE IS STRUCK BY CAR

The teen-agers were riding the bicycle on Virginia 99 near Hardee's and McDonald's at about 9:30 p.m., Pulaski police said.

The boys were in the east lane when a car approached and struck the bicycle, Commander Ernie Taylor said.

The teens were knocked off the bicycle and the driver of the car hit his chest on his car's steering wheel, Taylor said.

William Stevens Rather, 14, was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital by LifeGuard-10. He was in satisfactory condition Friday afternoon, according to a nursing supervisor.

David Edward Robinson, also 14, was taken to Pulaski Community Hospital as was Billy Joe Woolwine, 25, of Christiansburg, the driver of the car. Both were treated and released, according to a hospital employee.

Officer Jim Gregory said Robinson was pedaling the bike and Rather was on the back standing up. When the bike was hit by the car, Rather landed on the car's hood and hit the windshield. Robinson was thrown to the pavement.

"He did not see them until it was just too late," Gregory said of Woolwine.

While the bicycle did not have a headlight, Gregory said the bike had a small rear reflector light and the street was well-lit.

An investigation is continuing.