THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 1, 1995 TAG: 9511010469
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON FRANK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
One person was killed and three others were seriously injured when the car they were in went out of control and burst into flames on Shore Drive near the west gate of Fort Story on Tuesday night.
The car struck a tree and split in two before burning, police spokesman Lou Thurston said.
Thurston said the three injured people were thrown clear of the car.
The person who perished was trapped in the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two of the injured were listed in critical condition Tuesday night, Thurston said. The other was in stable condition.
All were taken to Virginia Beach General Hospital.
None of those involved was identified Tuesday night.
The accident occurred about 9:30p.m. on one of the region's most dangerous stretches of road. Almost 60 people have been killed in auto accidents on Shore Drive since 1977.
The car apparently was traveling at high speed when it went out of control, left the road and then re-entered the highway before leaving the road again and striking a tree.
Thurston said speeding is being investigated as the primary cause of the accident.
He said he did not know whether alcohol was involved. None of the victims was thought to be wearing a seat belt, he said.
Shore Drive was closed in both directions after the wreck, Thurston said.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC FATALITY by CNB