ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 24, 1996 TAG: 9610240038
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
Virginia Tech football player Pedro Edison has been indicted by an Augusta County grand jury on an involuntary manslaughter charge involving a June automobile accident that killed his best friend.
Edison, a 20-year-old redshirt freshman tight end from Waynesboro, was charged with the death of Kevin Crawford, 19.
According to police, Edison lost control of the car he was driving June 8. Crawford died six days later from injuries sustained in the crash.
Police said Edison was driving too fast when his car skidded off the road in a curve and hit a utility pole and two trees before slamming into a house.
Tech coach Frank Beamer said Thursday that Edison has been granted a "personal leave of absence" from the Tech squad.
``This is a real tragedy,'' Beamer said. ``I talked with Pedro this afternoon and we both thought it was best for him to take a little time off and deal with the situation. He's got a lot of decisions to make.''
The accident occurred shortly after Edison had picked up Crawford and another friend from a party. Edison passed a sobriety test administered by police at the accident scene.
Beamer said Edison will be permitted to rejoin the Hokies at the player's request.
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines KEYWORDS: FATALITYby CNB