ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 25, 1997 TAG: 9701270030
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
A Willis man was arrested Thursday night on charges of driving while intoxicated and involuntary manslaughter after his car collided head-on with another, killing the other driver.
Timothy Scott Chaffin, 23, was arraigned In Montgomery County General District Court Friday afternoon. If convicted, Chaffin faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for the felony involuntary manslaughter and a maximum of 12 months in jail for DWI, if it is his first offense.
Steven E. Burton, 27, of Christiansburg, died as a result of injuries he sustained in the accident, according to Virginia State Police.
Burton was driving east on Peppers Ferry Road about 11 p.m. when his car was hit. Chaffin, according to police, was driving west on Peppers Ferry without his headlights on when he crossed into the oncoming lane and hit Burton's car.
The cars collided about a half mile west of the town limits, police said.
Teresa Burton, Steve Burton's wife, said her husband was "a wonderful, loving, caring husband and father.
"His children loved him and so did I," she said. Steve Burton was the father of two boys: Robert, 4; and Brandon, 3.
He worked as a custodian at Christiansburg High School, the same school he graduated from in 1989. He was a NASCAR fan and also enjoyed fishing and basketball. A funeral for Burton will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at New Hope Church of God in Christiansburg.
Chaffin suffered only minor injuries and was treated and released from a local hospital.
When Chaffin entered the courtroom Friday, his left eye was swollen shut and his face had multiple abrasions. General District Judge John Quigley set Chaffin's preliminary hearing for March 10.
Chaffin remained in the Montgomery County Jail under $50,000 bond Friday afternoon, according to court records.
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines KEYWORDS: FATALITYby CNB