16-year-old dies in early morning car wreck in Campbell County

By Dave Thompson

Published: May 3, 2008

Campbell County’s third fatal wreck in less than three days claimed the life of an Appomattox teenager Saturday morning.

James Lee Holmes, 16, the passenger in a Chrysler P.T. Cruiser driven by his brother, Charles, died when the vehicle ran off the side of U.S. 460 near Concord.

The accident happened around 6:20 a.m., as the brothers were on their way back from the Lynchburg Christian Academy’s Junior/Senior Banquet’s after party.

Sgt. David Cooper of the Virginia State Police said the vehicle, traveling east, ran off the right side of U.S. 460, about a quarter of a mile west of Virginia 24, near Concord.

The vehicle hit an embankment and flipped over, striking a tree on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.

James was pronounced dead at the scene.

At 7 p.m. Saturday, more than 100 family and friends gathered at Thomas Road Baptist Church to pray with each other, and share memories of James.

“He was there for you when you needed him, no matter what the case was,” said Spensir Williamson, a senior at LCA.

Williamson said she, James and another student, Josh Detwiler, were an inseparable group.

“I was completely blessed to have a friend like him,” she said.

James helped on the technical team for Living Proof, TRBC’s high school ministry.

Aaron Turner played keyboard for the ministry’s worship team, and said James impressed him with his kindness to everyone.

“He was always outgoing, just a great guy to hang out with,” Turner said.

“He’s definitely going to leave a big hole in (Living Proof).”

Cooper said the accident is still under investigation.

According to Trooper P.A. Eckenrode, who is investigating the accident, Charles Holmes, 18, fell asleep at the wheel.

He was taken to Lynchburg General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.