THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 10, 1996 TAG: 9607100336
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 31 lines
A firefighter was injured Monday night when he was struck by a van while assisting with rescue efforts at a three-vehicle accident on Carolina Road.
Lieutenant Jeffery T. Messinger, 38, of the 100 block of Causey Ave., was in serious condition at Obici Hospital Tuesday afternoon with bruised ribs and lungs, police and fire officials said.
Fire officials said Messinger was helping a rescue vehicle back up to leave the scene. He was struck about 10:06 p.m. by a 1986 Ford van driven by George Allen Weaver, 76, of the 1900 block of Carolina Road.
Charges are pending against Weaver, Patrolman C.M. Gonzalez said Tuesday afternoon.
Four people were injured in the accident, which happened about 8:53 p.m., said Patrolman A.M. Wilson. Freddie William Klages Jr., 75, of the 700 block of Babbtown Road, was charged with reckless driving.
Police said Klages was southbound in a 1984 Chevrolet Blazer when he allegedly crossed the center line and sideswiped a 1984 Ford driven by Vernon Lee Rome, 35, of Edenton, N.C. Rome's car ran into a ditch and Klages' vehicle ran head-on into a 1989 Ford Escort driven by James Joseph Berlin Sr., 27, of the 100 block of Beechwood Drive.
Each driver and Berlin's 12-year-old son were taken to Obici Hospital. Klages remained hospitalized Tuesday with chest and facial injuries, Wilson said. The other victims' injuries were minor, the officer said.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC INJURIES by CNB