Family dispute in Roanoke led to two crashes, gunshots and one death, police say

Police said it doesn’t appear drugs or alcohol are involved in this incident

BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va.UPDATE

The Virginia State Police is investigating two crashes that happened Friday night in Botetourt County.

According to authorities, a domestic dispute involving a married couple and other family members started shortly before 11:30 p.m. in Roanoke City.

Police said the couple and family members left the scene and drove through Roanoke County into Botetourt County where the vehicles stopped at the intersection of Read Mountain Road and Sanderson Drive.

Police said an altercation between the family members led to shots being fired by another man in the family, causing the husband and wife to leave in separate vehicles. No one was injured from the gunshots.

Around 11:37 p.m., VSP was notified of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Read Mountain Road and Pheasant Run. One of the two vehicles left the scene and crashed into an embankment near an apartment complex near Birchwood Lane, authorities say.

Police said they found the husband and wife who were transported to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Authorities said the husband, 26-year-old Reshawn Martin, of Roanoke died from his injuries Saturday morning while the wife’s injuries were serious, but not life-threatening.

The family member who police said fired shots has not been charged at this time.


ORIGINAL STORY

Virginia State Police are inspecting a car crash that killed a man in Botetourt County Friday night.

At about 11:30 p.m., a call came in about a crash that happened on Read Mountain Road.

Sergeant Robert A. Black II with VSP said that the crash involved two cars.

Police said a married couple crashed into another car, leading the husband to get on top of the vehicle. Then, that car continued down the road before crashing again.

Authorities said the wife is doing okay while the husband died from his injuries.

Police said it doesn’t appear drugs or alcohol are involved in this incident.


About the Author:

Nicole Del Rosario joined WSLS 10 in August 2020.