Passenger Killed in Sunday Morning Accident

KENBRIDGE – A tragic accident took the life of a passenger in a two-vehicle wreck in the Kenbridge area of Lunenburg County during the early morning hours of Sunday, July 23.

According to Virginia State Trooper S.C. Hudson, the accident was reported around 2 a.m. on Sunday when a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban traveling southbound on Route 601 about a quarter-mile north of Route 600 stopped in the roadway on a double yellow line. One passenger exited the vehicle to walk to his nearby residence.

A second passenger got out of the vehicle to change seats, moving into the seat behind the driver.  As the passenger was switching seats, a northbound 2004 Dodge Dakota pickup truck pulling a small boat trailer struck the open door of the SUV, causing it to close on the man.

The passenger who was injured was identified as Timothy L. White, 37, of South Hill. He was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the injuries sustained in the accident.

Both vehicles remained at the scene of the accident following the incident and neither driver was injured in the crash.

The driver of the pickup truck, Clarence A. Roark, 72, of Crewe, is charged with failure to drive right of center.

Linda S. Thomas, 54, of Victoria, who was driving the SUV, is charged with improper stopping on the highway.

According to Susan Rowland, Public Relations Coordinator with the Virginia State Police, the crash remains under investigation.