The Virginian-Pilot 
                            THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, July 23, 1996                TAG: 9607230232
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL  
DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   49 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** A two-vehicle collision in Northern Suffolk Monday afternoon occurred on the bridge over Bennetts Creek, and not at Mills E. Godwin Bridge, as stated in a Metro brief Tuesday. Correction published Friday, July 26, 1996 on page A2 of THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT. ***************************************************************** ACCIDENT TIES UP BRIDGE

A two-vehicle collision on top of the Mills E. Godwin Bridge in northern Suffolk Monday afternoon injured a 62-year-old woman and blocked traffic in both directions for nearly an hour.

Police said James Robert Allen Parker, 43, of the 2200 block of Kings Highway stopped in the left northbound lane of U.S. Route 17, or Bridge Road, about 12:40 p.m. He yelled at construction workers on the southbound side of the twin-span and asked if they needed any more help, said police spokesman Mike Simpkins.

Martha R. Alexander, of the 1800 block of Woodland Road tried to swerve to avoid Parker's 1981 Ford van but the left front fender of her 1985 Volkswagen struck the back of his vehicle, Simpkins said.

Alexander was taken by Nightingale helicopter ambulance to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where she was listed in stable condition Monday evening. Police said both Alexander's legs and an arm were broken.

Workers from the Bennetts Creek Rescue Squad and Driver Fire Department freed Alexander, who was pinned in the wreckage, and placed her on the helicopter.

Before police arrived, Parker left the scene with a large brown dog. Officer D.T. Rupe arrested him about an hour later in the 5600 block of Shoulders Hill Road and charged him with felony hit-and-run. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

JOHN H. SHEALLY II/The Virginian-Pilot

Martha R. Alexander of Suffolk was freed from the wreckage of her

1985 Volkswagen by workers from the Bennetts Creek Rescue Squad and

Driver Fire Department after it struck a stopped van Monday on Mills

E. Godwin Bridge in Suffolk.

KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC by CNB