ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, June 7, 1996 TAG: 9606070082
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER
A 78-year-old man apparently fell asleep at the wheel and struck a state highway truck from behind Thursday afternoon, killing one of his passengers, state police said.
John Unthank of Jonesville was heading to Roanoke on Interstate 81 near the Rural Retreat exit in Wythe County when the accident occurred about 2:30 p.m.
A Department of Transportation truck was collecting trash along the right shoulder. State police said the truck was going about 35 mph and had its emergency lights blinking.
Unthank apparently fell asleep and veered into the truck, police said. The impact sent his car across both lanes and into the median.
Ruth Neal, 70, of Tazewell, Tenn., died less than two hours later at Wythe County Community Hospital. She was sitting behind Unthank.
Another of his back-seat passengers, Ann Jones, 73, of Jonesville was flown to Bristol Regional Medical Center, where she was listed in fair condition.
Unthank and his wife, Edna, 76, were taken to Wythe Community Hospital, where they were listed in stable condition.
Northbound I-81 lanes were blocked for more than two hours.
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines KEYWORDS: FATALITYby CNB