halifax county virginia state police file photo accident interstate
File photo courtesy Virginia State Police

Two people are dead after a head-on collision on Dec. 26 in Halifax County, according to a report from the Virginia State Police.

Both drivers, Melvyn Malik Crutchfield, 28, of Lynchburg, and Olin Carson Riddle Jr., 82, of Nathalie, died at the scene.

The crash occurred just before 1:30 p.m. on Cody Road.

A Nissan Pathfinder, driven by Crutchfield, crossed the center line and struck a Mercury Grand Marquis, driven by Riddle, head on.

Riddle was wearing a seat belt; Crutchfield was not, according to police.

Riddle was a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Vietnam War. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Republican Grove and loved auto racing and the Virginia Tech Hokies, according to his obituary.

No obituary was found online for Crutchfield.

Investigators say there is no indication that alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash.

The incident remains under investigation.

Published by Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is a reporter and ad manager for Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at crystal@augustafreepress.com.