Car crash kills Campbell Co. Man

WSLS News Staff & Dave Thompson, Lynchburg News & Advance
Published: May 1, 2008

Updated 6:17 p.m.

All lanes now open.

Updated 5:59 p.m.

By Dave Thompson

(434) 385-5547

A Campbell County man died Thursday afternoon after running his car off the side of Mollies Creek Road, not far from U.S. 501 near Naruna.

Sgt. David Cooper, with the Virginia State Police, said speed was definitely a factor in the crash that killed 33-year-old Jonathan O’Neal St. John, of Gladys.

Cooper said St. John was not wearing his seatbelt when his 1990 Honda Civic ran off the right side of the road as the road curved to the left.

The car went into a ditch and followed it for a few hundred feet, finally striking a tree, which sheared off the right side of the vehicle.

“(It sheared) the fender, both front and rear doors, the rear fender and the rear wheel on the right-hand side,” Cooper said.

St. John was thrown from the car as it spun around after striking the tree.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

St. John was by himself in the car, and no other vehicles were involved.

A passing motorist called the accident in to emergency dispatchers shortly after 3 p.m., Cooper said.

The accident happened just about a half mile off U.S. 501.

Cooper said that speed was a factor in the crash, though he didn’t know St. John’s actual speed.

Cooper said the investigation is ongoing. Trooper G.G. McMurray is investigating.

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VDOT says State Police are investigating an accident, that has caused them to close Route 650 (Mollies Creek Road) near Route 797 (Country Airport Road) in Campbell County.

More information as it becomes available.