Two charged in fatal accident

Published 10:34 am Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Two people are charged in connection with the death of a South Hill man who was involved in a vehicle accident that took place near Kenbridge on Sunday, according to Virginia State Police (VSP).

Timothy L. White, 37, of South Hill, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, VSP Public Relations Director Corinne Geller said.

According to police, a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban was traveling southbound on Route 601 early Sunday morning about a quarter-mile north of Route 600 when the vehicle stopped in the roadway on the double yellow line.

One passenger exited the vehicle to walk to his nearby residence, Geller said.

A second passenger got out of the vehicle to change seats, moving into the seat behind the driver, Geller said.

As the passenger was switching seats, a northbound 2004 Dodge Dakota pickup truck pulling a small boat trailer struck the open door of the Suburban, causing it to close on the passenger.

White, the passenger, died at the scene, Geller said.

The driver of the pickup truck — Clarence A. Roark, 72, of Crewe — is charged with failure to drive right of center, VSP Public Relations Coordinator Susan Rowland said.

Linda S. Thomas, 54, of Victoria — the driver of the Suburban — was charged with improper stopping on the highway, Rowland said.

VSP Trooper S.C. Hudson was called to the scene around 2 a.m.

Both vehicles remained at the scene, Geller said. Neither driver was injured in the crash.

The crash remains under investigation, officials said.