On the night of July 21, 2015, the interchange of U.S. 460 and VA Route 723 in Nottoway County, Virginia (VA), became the site of a fatal multivehicle accident. The deadly wreck at the merger of highways known locally as W. Colonial Trail and Lewiston Plank Road began when a car’s driver pulled out in front of an SUV. The 18-year-old behind the wheel of the larger vehicle could not avoid a collision after getting cut off.
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The teen driver of the SUV died at the scene, and a young passenger in her vehicle sustained nearly fatal injuries upon getting ejected through the SUV’s windshield. Three people in a third vehicle plowed into the wreckage of the car and SUV also suffered serious injuries, as did the at-fault driver of the car.
Police have cited the 60-year-old man behind the wheel of the car with reckless driving. He appears to have deliberately disregarded the distance and speed of the oncoming SUV when attempting to enter U.S. 460. Such errors can be easy to make when merging onto a major highway, especially after the sun sets. However, the charge of reckless driving indicates that law enforcement officers believe the man at fault for this fatal wreck east of the town of Burkeville should have recognized the danger he created by merging when he did.
My Virginia wrongful death attorney colleagues and I send our deepest condolences out the family and friends of the teenager who died in this avoidable crash. We can only hope that news of the tragedy will remind all drivers to exercise patience and caution when pulling onto a highway or interstate.
EJL