The Virginia State Police are still conducting an investigation into the death of one woman and the serious injuring of another in a car wreck. So far, police have eliminated alcohol as a factor in the fatal car accident. However, no other information regarding what other factors may have contributed to this crash was provided.
The preliminary report of the crash reveals that at approximately 8:20 a.m. on Feb. 18, two women were driving in separate vehicles in opposite directions on Route 646 through Wise County. As the two vehicles approached each other, the eastbound vehicle drifted over the center line into the opposing lane of travel. The driver of the westbound vehicle was unable to avoid colliding with the vehicle now directly in her path.
The collision caused fatal injuries to the driver of the eastbound vehicle. The other driver survived the crash, but not without suffering serious injuries. Fortunately, her injuries are not considered life-threatening. Authorities report both women were properly restrained at the time of the crash.
It is not known if any witnesses to the crash were found and could shed some light on what may have caused the fatally injured woman to end up in the wrong lane. It could be some time before the Virginia State Police finalize the report. Meanwhile, the family of the deceased driver has the unenviable task of burying their loved one.
The woman’s loss may not be the only blow the family receives as a result of this tragic car accident. The seriously injured woman retains the right to file a personal injury claim against the woman’s estate. Depending on her injuries, the woman’s recovery could take some time, which could mean a significant amount of medical bills and lost wages. If the surviving driver prevails in a civil action, the court may award her damages incurred as a result of the crash.
Source: wvva.com, Woman killed in Wise County crash, No author, Feb. 18, 2014