Wreck sends two teens to hospital

By Dave Thompson

Published: August 2, 2008

A Thursday night accident in Bedford County sent two teenagers to the hospital, one by helicopter, after the truck they were riding in ran off the side of the road and into a tree, according to Virginia State Police.

Trooper G.D. Musgrove said the driver, a 17-year-old male, was driving too fast for a curve on Otterville Road, about two miles east of Big Island Highway, at about 10:50 p.m.

A 19-year-old female passenger, who was riding in the middle seat, was taken by ambulance to Lynchburg General Hospital. A 15-year-old male passenger was flown by helicopter to Carilion-Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Musgrove said the injuries did not appear to be life threatening, and neither of the passengers were wearing their seat belts.

The 1994 Chevrolet 1500 ran off the right side of the road, down an embankment and into a tree, suffering “tremendous front-end damage,” Musgrove said.

The driver, who was not injured, was charged with reckless driving, failure to maintain control.

Musgrove said the driver was not exceeding the speed limit, and was probably 15-20 mph under the limit, but didn’t slow down enough for the hard left curve.