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POLICE SEARCH FOR MOTORIST
SUSPECTED IN FATAL CRASH
by Billy Coleburn
Editor, Courier-Record
©COURIER-RECORD 2004
2003 ended tragically last Wednesday, New Year's Eve morning, when a Prince
Edward County woman was killed in a fiery crash on Holly Farm Road (Highway
307) near Burkeville.
State Police at presstime were still looking for a driver, who witnesses say
caused the fatal crash by passing on a double-solid (no passing) line.
Wednesday morning's accident occured shortly before 6:30 a.m., about
three-tenths of a mile west of Dutchtown Road (Rt. 628).
State Trooper C. A. Chumney of Blackstone identified the deceased as Arlene
D. Watson, 49, of West Patrick Henry Highway, Prospect.
According to Trooper Chumney, Ms. Watson was driving east, on her way to
work in Richmond for a telecommunications company, when she met what
witnesses described as an oncoming red Accura that was passing on a
double-solid line on a hillcrest.
Trooper Chumney said Ms. Watson tried to get over on the right side of the
road, lost control of her 1999 Volkswagen Passat, and the VW ran off the
left side of the road, struck two trees, then quickly caught fire.
Ms. Watson was wearing a seatbelt. Witnesses and passersby could not get her
out of the car in time.
Chumney said Nottoway Deputy Lonnie Morgan was the first law enforcement
officer to arrive on the scene, and Morgan reportedly made great efforts
with a fire extinguisher, but the fire had too much of a head start.
"The gas line must have ruptured," Chumney said. "It's unusual for vehicles
to catch on fire so quickly after impact."
Trooper Chumney said that two witnesses--one from Richmond and another from
Lynchburg--had just been passed by the Accura seconds before the crash.
Chumney said one of the witnesses continued to pursue the vehicle and
noticed that it turned off at the Farmville exit off U. S. 460. Witnesses
said they were able to tell that a man was driving the suspect vehicle.
Trooper Chumney said he's located a possible suspect vehicle in the Richmond
area.
Anyone with information may call Nottoway County Crime Solvers at (434)
645-9044.
Rt. 307 has long been regarded as one of Nottoway County's most dangerous
roads. Police say that despite its reputation, most of the accidents have
involved vehicles running off the road and improper passing.
Some citizens have suggested that Rt. 307 be closed to thru-tractor
trailers, which use 307 as a shortcut between U. S. 360 and U. S. 460.
But 18-wheelers often have not been involved in some of the most tragic
accidents on 307, such as last Wednesday morning's fatality.
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