UPDATE: Police probing fatal crash
State police investigators are expected to visit the scene of a fatal weekend crash again this week as they try to determine what caused the head-on collision.
According to Trooper B.R. Edwards, no charges have been filed in the Sunday crash on Chapman Road that claimed the life of two Wythe County sisters. Members of the state police crash reconstruction team visited the wreck site on Sunday and were expected to go back this week, Edwards said on Monday.
Traveling toward Wytheville in a 2002 Nissan Frontier pickup, 53-year-old driver Judy Camper and 49-year-old passenger April McAllister were killed when a 2000 Chrysler 300 going in the opposite direction crossed the center line and struck the pickup, Edwards said. The crash happened near Mark IV Honda at 5:27 p.m.
Ashley Paynter, 19, of Wytheville, the driver of the Chrysler, had to be cut from the vehicle and was flown to a Roanoke hospital for treatment, Edwards said. She was listed in stable condition on Monday.
A passenger in the Chrysler, 21-year-old Linda Reeves of Max Meadows, was flown to a Tennessee hospital where she was treated and released on Sunday night.
Both Chrysler occupants were wearing their seatbelts, but the Nissan occupants were not, Edwards said.
Part of Chapman Road was blocked until 9:15 p.m. as crews investigated and cleaned up the crash site.
Edwards said information from the vehicles’ computers, which could indicate speed at impact, was also collected to help with the investigation.
The trooper said that Camper likely didn’t see the Chrysler because of the sun glare on Sunday evening.
A double funeral for Camper and McAllister will be held Thursday, Oct. 29, at 11 a.m. at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.
—Staff report
Reader Reactions
SoBit: If you have kept up with this case, Lindy Reeves was caught on Walmart’s surveillance concealing 2 cans of Dust Off at 5:00 pm. They hit the victims at 5:27 pm.
Perhaps they were not going to Bible Study.. It is possible that Lindy and “her baby Ashley” may have started a keyboard cleaning business, or something similar.
They are both documented thieves at the present time.
Please use spell check before you refer to others as “uneducated”. Your english skills, as well as the nature of this crime are both atrocious.
SoBit,
I think you should go back and read all the comments before you blast me. Please and thank you. MY comment was in defense of the girls, saying no facts had been proven, accidents happen, it was tragic, but we solve nothing by blackening their character BEFORE we know the facts. The comment you are accusing me of making, hoping both girls are charged with double murder, was made by ZIONVA…not me. I would appreciate it if you don’t blast someone (who doesn’t think they’re better than others) unfairly or incorrectly…my comments MATCH YOURS…you have no reason to blast me. Thank you and have a very nice day.
And you’re right…everyone makes mistakes, even Christians. Just like you made a mistake in blessing me out for nothing. :-)
Really why are you people condemming others when the investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed. Doesn’t sound like you go to too many bible studies either, and what does that have to do with anything anyway. I guess if you go to bible studies you are unable to make a mistake or have an accident? Oh thats right, I forgot that people from Wytheville are the judge, jury and exicutioner because the real ones are so damm corrupt, or is it that you are so much better than everyone else? OH my, They MUST be guilty, they have pictures on Myspace…..O.o yeah sounds like good investigation work there Nonbias- your quite a detective! Why don’t you leave it to proffesionals, people like you make the community look like uneducated, self-centered fools!
nonbiasreader:
http://www.swvatoday.com/news/article/vehicle_searched_in_fatal_crash/6249/
Looks like some those “facts” (that I didn’t have) are coming to light. I guess is it safe to assume that the driver will be charged with a little more than “failure to maintain her vehicle”.
It certainly does not appear they were headed to a Sunday Night Bible Study when this tragedy took place.
I hope they are BOTH charged with two counts of murder.
No investigation is required to determine the cause. The Chrysler CROSSED the center line into the path of the Nissan. No doubt due to distracted driving. It’s very unlikely the girl crossed the center line intentionally. No doubt speed was also a factor since Wythe county and the town of Wytheville do such a poor job of enforcement. I witness daily; excessive speed, stop signs being ignored, women putting on make-up, people driving down main street with an open beer, stop lights being run, and more. Some of those infractions even being committed by the very ones who are supposed to enforce them. The general response from Director Newberry, Captain Albert is if the Town Police write tickets, they then have to sit in court. That means either fewer officers on patrol or paying over-time. Meanwhile our county’s Sheriff seams to think it’s more impotant to enforce the speed limit on Interstate 77 than on our own county roads AND town streets. I guess the revenue from writing speeding tickets on out of state drivers is just too hard to pass up. There’s a lot of blame to go around and a big part of it rests with those who don’t enforce the traffic laws on our streets. As for the driver of the Chrysler, I hope she’s never allowed to drive again and I hope she’s haunted by those two women the rest of her life.
I, like many others, are waiting for the facts to be released by the proper authorities.
These girls are ultimately responsible for this tragedy. Your seatbelt argument is rather lame in my personal opinion. The fact that the victims were not wearing seatbelts may or may not have affected the outcome in this tragedy. Keep in mind that neither of these victims were ejected from the vehicle. This is a documented fact.
Regardless, I strongly believe seatbelts should be worn at all times. I am certainly not defending the fact that they were not worn in this case. I personally do believe it would not have made a difference in this situation, but I am not an expert in this area.
Your attempt to portray these girls to be “suffering” in some way is not justifiable by their character. A simple search for “lindy reeves” on the myspace community will substantiate my claims.
I have a hard time believing that one of these girls is heartfeltly “praying” for these families, as she has posted within her myspace headline. Especially considering, photos of this same person can be found proudly displaying profane hand gestures, and also photos labeled directly by the passenger as “me drunk”.
I will wait for the “facts” brought to light as a result of this continued investigation. At which time, these girls will be given full rights and an opportunity to defend themselves and their actions. They also have earned for themselves the right to be held accountable for their behaviors, should they be found to be at reckless fault.
nonbiasreader: I am not judging anyone in this situation. My heart and prayers go out to all of those involved. These two young girls will have to live with this for the rest of their lives and we will be much in prayer for them. I just have a problem with cell phones while driving. I have witnessed other accidents and will not answer my cell while driving. And yes, seatbelts are life savers. I am not judging anyone. We will continue to pray for he families who lost loved ones and for the girls involved and their families. You are right, when we get into a car, we never know. My Dad accidently ran over my sister and killed her so believe me, I am not judging. May God bless each and everyone involved in this accident and comfort them and their families today and throughout the days ahead.
This is what I want to say. The accident on the service road by Mark IV was a tragedy. It was a tragedy for EVERYONE. People were affected by April and Judy’s deaths. People were affected by Lindy’s injuries and Ashley’s injuries. Accidents are tragic. It’s not Lindy’s fault (she was a passenger), and so the people who say, “THESE girls are responsible…and they have no idea the pain they’ve caused” ONE person went across the line. She’s lying in a hospital bed, not able to defend herself or say what happened. Yes, it’s tragic that Ashley crossed the center line. Yes, I’m sure she will be held accountable for her failure to maintain control, or whatever the law chooses to charge her with. However, their families are dealing with tragedy as well. I’m sure they probably don’t understand fully the pain of losing a loved one in that accident, but I’m sure they feel guilt and grief and remorse, and they have to live with it for the rest of their lives (even Lindy, who was only a passenger). People are already posting on here accusing them of using cell phones and being reckless…were you at the scene? Were you in the vehicles? Are you a police officer? Do you have any hard proven data, other than your own suspicions or accusations, to validate the rumors you are spreading? The truth of the matter is, we all take a risk every day we get into a vehicle…we place trust in ourselves and all the other drivers. None of us are guaranteed another day. What about the seat belts? Lindy, it says, was wearing her seat belt. She escaped with minimal injuries. You want them to tighten the law on reckless behaviors and cell phone usage? I AGREE!! TEN TIMES OVER, I AGREE!!! However, seat belts can save your life, as well. Why aren’t you concerned with them tightening the seat belt laws? I’m related to none of the victims, though I know friends and family members of all 4, and I grieve for them and pray for them daily. I’m just asking that we respect all four families. I don’t think anyone benefits when we sling words or accusations or assume we know exactly what happened, or we lose sight of the facts. Help these families by praying for them, and by offering them condolences. I’m not acting better than anyone here, or condemning anyone. It just hurts my heart to see this. I know we’re affected by the losses, and I know people sometimes react out of their emotions, but it hurts others. The first three comments are very well stated. The next one opens up “accusation” and “suspicion,“ and the next comment builds on that. It’s a horrible, vicious, never-ending cycle. Let’s pray for the families, and let’s learn the lessons we can from the situation, and thank God every day that we get a chance to serve him. Thank you. May God bless you all.
If the deaths of these ladies were caused by use of a cell phone, Lord have mercy. There should be a law against talking on a cell phone while driving.
May God keep these families in his loving care. These girls who are responsible for this tragedy have no idea the depth of pain they have caused.
The name of the passenger is actually named Lindy Reeves. Perhaps this tragedy will help to tighten our laws regarding cell phone usage and wreckless behaviors. I also pray law enforcement will be able to bring answers and closure for these families. IF these persons are at reckless fault, I pray they are held fully accountable for the damage they have inflicted upon many.
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