Update to deadly construction zone crash: 2nd involuntary manslaughter charge added

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Mugshots from Roanoke County Police

Roanoke County Police arrested Tracie Nininger (left) and Jeffrey Dupree (right) in connection with a deadly DUI crash early Wednesday morning

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WSLS News Staff
Published: February 21, 2008

WSLS has learned that Roanoke County Police have charged Jeffrey Dupree for involuntary manslaughter, follwing a crash that killed Richard Slone early Wednesday morning.

Investigators tell us Slone was working in a construction zone on Route 419 (Electric Road), around 12:30 a.m. early Wednesday morning, when police say Tracie Nininger crashed her Hummer H3 into a backhoe at the site. Seconds later, police say Jeffrey Dupree crashed his Chevy Avalanche into Nininger’s Hummer H3, pushing in into a dump truck near the backhoe.

Officers say Richard Slone was standing near the back of the dump truck when the crashes happened, and got pinned.

Police charged both Nininger and Dupree with DUI on Wednesday. Officers then added a charge of reckless involuntary manslaughter against Nininger Wednesday. Then this afternoon (Thursday), officers added an involuntary manslaughter charge against Dupree.

We’ve also learned from police that Nininger had a blood alcohol content level of 0.19. That’s more than two times Virginia’s legal limit of 0.08.

We’ve also learned that the last place that Nininger and Dupree were seen at before the crash was Cornerstone, a bar in Downtown Roanoke. The Virginia ABC says no charges are pending against Cornerstore, and the bar’s management has been “very cooperative” with their investigation.

Reader Reactions

Posted by ( Geneva ) on February 27, 2008 at 6:41 pm

Instead of the bar asking Ninenger and Dupree to leave they should have had a taxi to take them home.

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Posted by ( traumarn ) on February 24, 2008 at 1:24 am

On the construction site accident. It is unfortunate for all families involved. Although these two people may not have intentionally murder this man, they both chose to ignore the law and drive drunk. It is there fault he is dead and no matter now “nice” these people were, nothing is going to bring this man back to his family. As a nurse in a neuro/trauma ICU, I see all kinds of accidents. A lot involving alcohol. And all I can say, no one forced them to drink and get behind the wheel, it was their choice. They could have called someone or chose not to drink at all. But they did not. I believe they deserve every bit of jail time they get. It’s people like them, that keep my job going. Sending mothers, father’s and kids to the morgue in a body bad, because of “nice” people like this.

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Posted by ( sweetlilshug ) on February 21, 2008 at 6:50 pm

this whole situation is very unfortunate for everyone- the family of the victim and also the two who were in the accident. i knew jeff dupree- he and my father used to work together- he is a very nice guy- unfortunately- he made some serious mistakes. now the victims life is gone… and the ones who were drinking and driving have ruined their futures. its really sad to see three good people all have no future to look forward to. i wish the family the best and they are in my prayers...as well as jeff and tracie. it obviously was not intentional- they just did something stupid that affected other people. very sad and tragic. you all are in my prayers

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Posted by ( Brenda ) on February 21, 2008 at 3:12 pm

I wonder if these two are of the mind that only a couple of drinks will not put you over the limit and/or impare judgement? I used to think so myself.

I had ONE glass of wine during lunch a few weeks back. Many people make it a habit to drink a glass of beer/wine during lunch and drive since it’s socially acceptable, so I thought nothing of it. ONE glass of white wine, big deal.

Three hours later I had to drive and managed to get myself pulled over for speeding. The officer asked if I’d been drinking. I was horrified! I told him (after lying at first) that I always thought the “one or two” drink rule was within the law. He explained after a humbling field sobriety test that although it was evident I was not impared, he could smell that “distinct” scent of alcohol which can lingered for hours.

Putting me through that test was the best thing the officer could have done for me because I will NEVER take a social drink and drive again. I am small and the officer explained how even ONE drink could put someone my size over the limit as I’m only 120 lbs. (and that darn guy guessed my weight perfectly!).

So, everyone please, please do not test fate. See where it landed Tracie and her friend? Not to mention the victim and his family! I could not be more thankful I was given good advice from a very, nice although stern officer who may well have prevented me from one day experiencing the same disaster Tracie did and is going to carry the rest of her life.

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