Home Update: Charges pending in Christmas Eve crash that killed 8-year-old
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Update: Charges pending in Christmas Eve crash that killed 8-year-old

Chris Graham
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(© Daniel – stock.adobe.com)

Charges are pending in a crash in Nelson County on Route 29 in Nelson County on Christmas Eve that claimed the life of an 8-year-old girl.

A 2012 Honda Odyssey minivan being driven by Michael E. Mack, 44, of Taylorsville N.C., was traveling north on Route 29 around 6 p.m. when it struck a deer in the travel lane. The crash investigation has determined that the Honda abruptly stopped due to the impact with the deer.

A tractor-trailer traveling behind the minivan was unable to stop in time and rear-ended the minivan.

Mack was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries. He was wearing a seatbelt. There were four passengers riding in the minivan at the time of the crash:

  • Shelly K. Mack, 44, of Taylorsville, N.C., was wearing a seatbelt and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
  • 8-year-old female passenger, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported to UVA Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries on Christmas Day.
  • 4-year-old male passenger, who was secured in a child safety seat, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
  • 6-year-old male passenger, who was secured in a booster seat, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Hugh D. Powell, 62, of New Britain, Conn., was treated at the scene for minor injuries. He was wearing a seatbelt. The tractor-trailer was loaded with 42,000 lbs. of paper.

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].