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Augusta County: Crimora man dead after truck hits motorcycle head on

Crystal Graham
police emergency fire accident
(© annette shaff – stock.adobe.com)

A motorcyclist is dead after a crash Tuesday morning on East Side Highway in Augusta County.

Terri L. Smith, 57, of Crimora, died at the scene.

The fatal crash occurred at 6:25 a.m. on Route 340, less than one mile north of Route 611, or Dooms Crossing Road.

Virginia State Police report that a Ford truck was traveling north on Route 340 when it veered into the southbound lane and struck the motorcycle, a 2024 Kawasaki Eliminator SE. The driver of the Ford, John F. Phillips, 44, of Broadway, was transported to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Another vehicle, a Chevrolet Cobalt, traveling south behind the motorcycle swerved to avoid the initial collision and struck debris from the crash. The driver, Julia F. Winegard, 31, of Grottoes was not injured in the crash.

The Ford truck was towing another vehicle, a Dodge Challenger.

A mechanical issue with the Ford is being investigated as a possible factor in the crash.

The accident remains under investigation.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of 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 on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.