Smyth County: 81-year-old man dead in accident involving intoxicated driver

An 81-year-old Chilhowie man has died from injuries sustained in an accident on Sunday morning in Smyth County.

Jackie L. Blevins was treated at an area hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

A passenger in his vehicle, Martha A. Blevins, 76, suffered serious injuries.

At approximately 10:40 a.m., Blevins’ Honda CRV was making a right turn onto Whitetop Road at a stop sign on County Lane when it was struck by a Toyota Tacoma truck. The truck was headed northbound on Whitetop Road and did not have a stop sign at the intersection.

The driver of the Tacoma truck, Gary L. Pennington, 51, of Marion, suffered minor injuries. Pennington was charged with driving while intoxicated (drugs), possession of a controlled substance, failure to have a vehicle inspected and a seatbelt violation.

The crash remains under investigation, according to Virginia State Police.