ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606100044
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JON CAWLEY
Both lanes of U.S. 220 in Botetourt County were closed for 4 1/2 hours Friday, after a car was struck head-on by a logging truck and exploded, killing both occupants of the auto.
The accident occurred around 4:20 p.m., three-tenths of a mile south of Glen Wilton Road, said state Trooper Gary Straub.
"A small Isuzu Impulse was traveling south on 220 when it crossed into the northbound lane. The car was weaving and went back into the southbound lane, where the driver lost control and went back into the northbound lane where it was hit by a tractor-trailer," Straub said.
The passenger was ejected onto the roadway and was killed on impact.
"The truck went onto the car, dragging it. The driver was still in the car and was incinerated when the car exploded underneath the truck. There was nothing but a shell left," Straub said.
State police are not releasing the victims' names until the families can be notified.
Truck driver Johnny Douglas Roach, 45, of Huddleston suffered minor injuries when the truck flipped on its side. He was taken to Alleghany Regional Hospital and later released.
The passenger vehicle was at fault, state police said, citing witness accounts of the accident.
"The tractor-trailer tried to slow and go onto the shoulder. It was actually traveling under the speed limit when the accident occurred," Straub said.
Traffic was backed up on northbound 220 for only about a mile, said Sgt. S.D. Mullins of the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office, because officers were able to detour traffic onto Locust Bottom Road.
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines KEYWORDS: FATALITYby CNB