ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, April 21, 1997 TAG: 9704210085
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY AND BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER THE ROANOKE TIMES
The Virginia Tech student riding in the car suffered serious head injuries and burns.
A Blacksburg couple were injured, one critically, in a fiery single-car crash Sunday morning that shot flames seven stories into the air and closed South Main Street for about 90 minutes.
Virginia Tech student Maria Goldsby, 21, suffered head injuries and burns. She was in stable but critical condition Sunday night at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Gerald N. Close, also 21, suffered multiple injuries and burns and was listed in very stable condition at Columbia Montgomery Regional Hospital.
Close was driving north on South Main Street about 7 a.m. when his car ran off the right side of the road near the Hokie Honda dealership, police said. The car went up an embankment and knocked down a small tree before veering back onto the street.
The car careened for more than 500 feet, then rolled over after hitting a gas relay station and telephone control box, police said. Leaking natural gas ignited, sending flames 75 feet into the air, melting a hotel sign and spreading close to the car.
It was not clear if either victim was wearing a seat belt or how fast Close was driving. No charges have been filed in connection with the accident, which is under investigation.
Close and Goldsby deliver newspapers for The Roanoke Times and might have been driving to their route when the accident occurred.
"They are great carriers," said Melinda Payne, circulation manager for the newspaper's New River district.
Customers in and around the Foxridge apartment complex knew something was wrong when their papers weren't delivered on time, because Close and Goldsby have been so reliable, Payne said.
"It's one of the largest complexes in the state, and they did a whole lot to improve customer relations in the area."
LENGTH: Short : 45 linesby CNB