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.

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham, the king of "fringe media," a zero-time Virginia Sportswriter of the Year, and a member of zero Halls of Fame, 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, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

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